Pawn — Defs

01 n. See Pan, the masticatory.

02 n. A man or piece of the lowest rank.

03 n. Anything delivered or deposited as security, as for the payment of money borrowed, or of a debt; a pledge. See Pledge, n., 1.

1.
Anything delivered or deposited as security, as for the payment of money borrowed, or of a debt; a pledge. See Pledge, n., 1. See: Pledge
“As for mortgaging or pawning, . . . men will not take pawns without use [i. e., interest].” — Bacon.
2.
State of being pledged; a pledge for the fulfillment of a promise.[R.]
“Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown.” — Shak.

“As the morning dew is a pawn of the evening fatness.” — Donne.
3.
A stake hazarded in a wager.[Poetic]
“My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thy enemies.” — Shak.

Phrases & compounds

In pawn — in the state of being pledged.

Pawn shop — a shop where a pawnbroker does business.

Pawn ticket — a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an article pledged.

04 v. t. To give or deposit in pledge, or as security for the payment of money borrowed; to put in pawn; to pledge; as, to pawn one's watch.

imp. & p. p. Pawned; p. pr. & vb. n. Pawning

1.
To give or deposit in pledge, or as security for the payment of money borrowed; to put in pawn; to pledge; as, to pawn one's watch.
“And pawned the last remaining piece of plate.” — Dryden.
2.
To pledge for the fulfillment of a promise; to stake; to risk; to wager; to hazard.
“Pawning his honor to obtain his lust.” — Shak.

Syn. hock [colloq].