Pawn

Quick meaning: Pawn is a noun meaning (uncountable) The state of being held as security for a loan, or as a pledge.

Meaning

(uncountable) The state of being held as security for a loan, or as a pledge.

More Meanings

1. An instance of pawning something.
2. (transitive) To pledge; to stake or wager.
3. (transitive) To give as security on a loan of money; especially, to deposit (something) at a pawn shop.
4. (idiomatic) A person being manipulated by another, being used to some end.
5. (chess) The most numerous chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess, each side starts with eight; moves are only forward, and attacks are only diagonally or en passant.
6. (archaic) An item given as security on a loan, or as a pledge.
7. (rare) A pawnshop; pawnbroker.

Example Sentences

All our jewellery was in pawn by this stage.

Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown.

My life I never held but as a pawn / To wage against thy enemies.

But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it, babe.

Word Forms

• pawns
• pawning
• pawned

Synonyms for pawn

Depending on context, synonyms include hock, lumber, pledge, spout, vamp, chess piece.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include instrument, soak, hock, player, pedestrian, move.

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