Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pawn \Pawn\, v. t. [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.

Pawn \Pawn\, n.
   See {Pan}, the masticatory.

Pawn \Pawn\, n. [OE. paune, poun, OF. peon, poon, F. pion, LL.
   pedo a foot soldier, fr. L. pes, pedis, foot. See {Foot}, and
   cf. {Pioneer}, {Peon}.] (Chess)
   A man or piece of the lowest rank.

Pawn \Pawn\, n. [OF. pan pledge, assurance, skirt, piece, F. pan
   skirt, lappet, piece, from L. pannus. See {Pane}.]
   1. 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.

   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.

   {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.

Source : WordNet®

pawn
     v : leave as a guarantee in return for money; "pawn your
         grandfather's gold watch" [syn: {soak}, {hock}]

pawn
     n 1: an article deposited as security
     2: a person used by another to gain an end [syn: {instrument},
        {cat's-paw}]
     3: (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
     4: borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment
        of the loan