Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person used by another to gain an end: A pawn is a person who is used or manipulated by someone more powerful to achieve a goal, often without regard for the pawn's own interests.
   • (Chess) The least powerful piece: In the game of chess, a pawn is a piece that moves only forward (except when capturing) one square at a time, and captures diagonally. It can be promoted to any other piece (except a king) if it reaches the opposite side of the board.
   • An article deposited as security: A pawn is an item of personal property that is left with a lender (a pawnbroker) as security for a loan of money.

2. Verb:

   • To leave as a guarantee in return for money: To pawn something means to deposit it with a pawnbroker as security for a loan. The item can be reclaimed upon repayment of the loan plus interest.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Person):
  • He was merely a pawn in their political game.
• Noun (Chess):
  • She moved her pawn forward two squares.
  • Capturing en passant is a special rule for pawns.
• Noun (Item):
  • The camera was in pawn for three months.
  • He took his watch out of pawn after getting his paycheck.
• Verb:
  • She had to pawn her wedding ring to pay the rent.
  • I pawned my guitar for fifty dollars.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in pawn": To be held as security by a pawnbroker.
  • The family silver has been in pawn since last winter.
• "to pawn off (as)": To get rid of something by deception, presenting it as something it is not. (Note: This is a phrasal verb using "pawn").
  • He tried to pawn off the fake painting as an original.

Variants and Related Words

• Pawnbroker (n): A person or business that lends money at interest in exchange for personal property left as security.
  • The pawnbroker assessed the value of the necklace.
• Pawnshop (n): The shop or business premises of a pawnbroker.
  • He went to the pawnshop to redeem his father's watch.
• Pawn ticket (n): The receipt given by a pawnbroker when an item is pawned.
  • Don't lose your pawn ticket, or you won't be able to reclaim your item.

Synonyms

• Noun (Person): Puppet, tool, instrument, dupe.
• Noun (Item): Security, pledge, collateral, guarantee.
• Verb: Hock (informal), pledge, deposit.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pawn off: (Often used as "palm off") To dispose of or pass off something deceptively.
  • He pawned off his old car on an unsuspecting buyer.

Related Idioms

• Pawn in the game: Someone who is being used by others for their own purposes.
  • The soldiers felt like they were just pawns in the game of the generals.
• Pawn one's honor/word: To pledge one's reputation as a guarantee.
  • He pawned his word that he would repay the debt. (This is a figurative use of the verb).

Noun

1. borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan
2. (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
3. a person used by another to gain an end
4. an article deposited as security

Verb

1. leave as a guarantee in return for money
   • pawn your grandfather's gold watch