1. pledge, mortgage; security; game piece (Chess); plaything. mortgage, hock; endanger, put at risk; gamble, wager. pawnpawn , n. see: pan, the masticatory.pawn pawn, n. [oe. paune, poun, of. peon, poon, f. pion, ll. pedo a foot soldier, fr. l. pes, pedis, foot. see: foot, and cf. pioneer, peon.] (chess) a man or piece of the lowest rank.pawn pawn, n. [of. pan pledge, assurance, skirt, piece, f. pan skirt, lappet, piece, from l. pannus. see: pane.]