Word Direct Answers

What does "pawn" mean?

Pawn: Anything delivered or deposited as security, as for the payment of money borrowed, or of a debt; a pledge. See Pledge, n., 1. As for mortgaging or pawning, . . . men will not take pawns without use [i.e., interest]. Bacon.

Additional senses

  1. 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.
  2. 3.A stake hazarded in a wager. [Poetic] My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thy enemies. Shak. In pawn, At pawn, in the state of being pledged. "Sweet wife, my honor is at pawn." Shak. -- Pawn ticket, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an article pledged.
  3. 4.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.
  4. 5.To pledge for the fulfillment of a promise; to stake; to risk; to wager; to hazard. Pawning his honor to obtain his lust. Shak.

Sources