pawn1
n.
- a chess piece of the smallest size and value.
- a person used by others for their own purposes.
Etymology
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. poun, from med. L. pedo, pedon- ‘foot soldier’, from L. pes, ped- ‘foot’.
pawn2
v.
deposit (an object) with a pawnbroker as security for money lent.
n.
(
usu. in pawn)
the state of being pawned.
Etymology
C15: from OFr. pan ‘pledge, security’.