pawn

Meaning

1. The most numerous chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess, each side starts with eight; moves are only forward, and attacks are only diagonally or en passant.
2. Someone who is being manipulated or used to some end.

pledge

cat’s-paw

cat’s paw

chess-man

put in pawn

borrow money

give in pledge

common soldier

credit against pledge of chattels

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɔːn/

From Middle English pown, from Anglo-Norman poun, paun (“footman”), from Late Latin pedōnem (“pedestrian”), derived fom Latin ped- (“foot”). Doublet of peon.

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