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.
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.
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.