Pawn Meaning
/ˈpɔːn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe state of being held as security for a loan, or as a pledge.
nounAn instance of pawning something.
Sentence Examples
A person who is only a pawn in the game often talks big in company.
A clerk in the office is only a pawn in the game of big business.
I tilt my head. Not the pawn, but the knight?
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
He moved his ____ forward two squares in the opening of the chess game.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He was forced to ____ his watch at the local shop to raise money for the rent payment.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English paun, pawyn, pawnd, from Old French pan, pant (“pledge for a payment”), from a Germanic language, perhaps Frankish *pand (“deposit, security, pledge”), further origin uncertain. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Pound (“deposit, pledge, pawn”), West Frisian pân (“pawn”), Dutch pand (“pledge, pawn”), German Low German Pand (“deposit, pledge, pawn”), German Pfand (“deposit, pledge, pawn”), Swedish pant (“pledge, pawn”), Faroese pantur (“security, lien”), Icelandic pantur (“pledge, security, pawn”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown."
— 1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
"As therefore the morning devv, is a pavvne of the evenings fatneſſe, ſo, O Lord, let this daies comfort be the earneſt of to morrowes, […]"
— 1624, John Donne, “19. Prayer”, in Deuotions upon Emergent Occasions, and Seuerall Steps in My Sicknes: […], London: […] A[ugustine] M[atthews] for Thomas Iones, →OCLC, page 508:
"My life I never held but as a pawn / To wage against thy enemies."
— c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
"Brokers, takers of pawns, biting userers, I will not admit; yet […] I will tolerate some kind of usery."
— 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC:
"As for mortgaging or pawning,[…]men will not take pawns without use [i.e. interest]."
— 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Usury”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He moved his ____ forward two squares in the opening of the chess game.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He was forced to ____ his watch at the local shop to raise money for the rent payment.