pawn

(pôn)

1. Something given as security for a loan; a pledge or guaranty.
2. The condition of being held as a pledge against the payment of a loan: jewels in pawn.
3. A person serving as security; a hostage.
4. The act of pawning.

1. To give or deposit (personal property) as security for the payment of money borrowed.
2. To risk; hazard: pawn one's honor.

Related Forms:

• pawnˈa·ble adjective

• pawnˈage noun

• pawnˈer (pôˈnər), pawˈnorˌ (-nôrˌ) noun

(pôn)

1. Abbr. P Games A chess piece of lowest value that may move forward one square at a time or two squares in the first move, capture other pieces only on a one-space diagonal forward move, and be promoted to any piece other than a king upon reaching the eighth rank.
2. A person or an entity used to further the purposes of another: an underdeveloped nation that was a pawn in international politics.