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1

pawn

noun \ ˈpȯn , ˈpän \
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Definition of pawn

1 : one of the chessmen of least value having the power to move only forward ordinarily one square at a time, to capture only diagonally forward, and to be promoted to any piece except a king upon reaching the eighth rank
2 : one that can be used to further the purposes of another

Origin and Etymology of pawn

Middle English pown, from Anglo-French peoun, paun, from Medieval Latin pedon-, pedo foot soldier, from Latin ped-, pes foot — more at foot

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

2

pawn

noun

Definition of pawn

1 a : something delivered to or deposited with another as security for a loan
b : hostage
2 : the state of being pledged
3 : something used as a pledge : guaranty
4 : the act of pawning

Origin and Etymology of pawn

Middle English paun, from Middle French dialect (Walloon, Flanders) pan

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

3

pawn

verb

Definition of pawn

transitive verb
: to deposit in pledge or as security especially in exchange for money
—

pawner

play \ˈpȯ-nər, ˈpä-\ or less commonly pawnor play \ˈpȯ-nər, ˈpä-; pȯ-ˈnȯr, pä-\ noun

See pawn defined for English-language learners

Examples of pawn in a Sentence

  1. She was forced to pawn her diamond ring.

  2. he pawned his antique watch in order to pay off his gambling debt

First Known Use of pawn

circa 1566

in the meaning defined above

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pawn Synonyms

Synonyms

hock, pledge;

Near Antonyms

buy (back), redeem, win (back);

Related Words

deposit, mortgage;

bond;

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

PAWN Defined for English Language Learners

pawn

verb

Definition of pawn for English Language Learners

  • : to give (something that you own) to a pawnbroker in exchange for money

PAWN Defined for Kids

1

pawn

noun \ ˈpȯn \

Definition of pawn for Students

1 : the piece of least value in the game of chess
2 : a person who has little power and is controlled by a more powerful person or group
2

pawn

verb

Definition of pawn for Students

pawned; pawning
: to leave as a guarantee of repayment for a loan
  • He pawned a watch.

Law Dictionary

1

pawn

noun \ ˈpȯn \

legal Definition of pawn

1 a : a pledge and transfer of possession of movable or personal property to a creditor which gives the creditor the privilege of satisfying the debt from the property (as by selling it) if the debt is not repaid within a specified time; also : the property pledged
  • shall not take as a pawn any workman's tools
— compare antichresis
b : the state of being so pledged or burdened by such a pledge
  • goods held in pawn
2 : the act of pawning
2

pawn

transitive verb

legal Definition of pawn

: to put (personal or movable property) in pawn
  • when it is redeemed by the person who pawned it
— compare hypothecate
—

pawner

play \ˈpȯ-nər\ or pawnor \same or pȯ-ˈnȯr\ noun

Learn More about pawn

  1. See words that rhyme with pawn Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pawn Spanish Central: Translation of pawn Nglish: Translation of pawn for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pawn for Arabic speakers

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Examples: pawn in a Sentence