from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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As for mortgaging or pawning, . . . men will not
take pawns without use [i. e., interest]. --Bacon.
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2. State of being pledged; a pledge for the fulfillment of a
promise. [R.]
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Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown.
--Shak.
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As the morning dew is a pawn of the evening fatness.
--Donne.
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3. A stake hazarded in a wager. [Poetic]
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My life I never held but as a pawn
To wage against thy enemies. --Shak.
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{In pawn}, {At pawn}, in the state of being pledged. "Sweet
wife, my honor is at pawn." --Shak.
{Pawn shop}, a shop where a pawnbroker does business.
{Pawn ticket}, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an
article pledged.
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