Pawn
/pΙΛn/noun
A person or entity used by another for their own purposes, often in a manipulative way.
Did you know?The word 'pawn' has roots in medieval practices where individuals would pledge their possessions for loans, often leading to their downfall.
Etymological Timeline
Old French
OF
pan
βto pledge or give as securityβ
Late Latin
Latin
pignus
βpledge or depositβ
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
pana
βto give in pledgeβ
Middle English
ME
paun
βto stake or pledge an item for a loanβ
Modern English
English
pawn
βto exchange an item for money or as securityβ