Definition of PAWN

pawn

Plural: pawns

Noun

  • an article deposited as security
  • a person used by another to gain an end
  • (chess) the least powerful piece; moves only forward and captures only to the side; it can be promoted to a more powerful piece if it reaches the 8th rank
  • borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan
  • 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.
  • A person being manipulated by another, being used to some end.
  • The state of being held as security for a loan, or as a pledge.
  • An instance of pawning something.
  • An item given as security on a loan, or as a pledge.
  • A pawnshop; pawnbroker.
  • Alternative form of paan.
  • A gallery.

Verb

Verb Forms: pawned, pawning, pawns

  • To give an item as security for a loan.
  • leave as a guarantee in return for money
    • "pawn your grandfather's gold watch"
  • To pledge; to stake or wager.
  • To give as security on a loan of money; especially, to deposit (something) at a pawn shop.
  • Alternative form of pwn.

Examples

  • All our jewellery was in pawn by this stage.
  • He had to PAWN his valuable ’Q’ tile for a less impressive word, just to make a play.
  • Though a pawn of the gods, her departure is the precipitating cause of the Trojan War.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English pown, from Anglo-Norman poun, paun (“footman”), from Late Latin pedōnem (“pedestrian”), derived from Latin ped- (“foot”). Doublet of peon.

Synonyms

cat's-paw, hock, instrument, soak, lumber, pawn, pledge, spout, vamp

Scrabble Score: 9

pawn: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
pawn: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
pawn: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

pawn: valid Words With Friends Word