(pôn) noun
1. A chessman of lowest rank, that moves on file but captures diagonally.
2. Hence, any insignificant person used at another's will. [<AF poun, OF paon, var. of peon, pedon a foot soldier <LL pedo, -onis <L pes, pedis a foot. Doublet of PEON.]

(pôn) noun
1. Something pledged as security for a loan; especially, personal property pledged to secure a loan.
2. The condition of being held as a pledge for money loaned.
3. The act of pawning.
—v.t.
1. To give (personal property) as security for a loan.
2. To risk or stake; pledge: to pawn one's life. [<OF pan, prob. <L pannus a cloth; infl. in meaning by MDu. pand a pledge <Gmc.]
—pawn′a·ble adjective
—pawn′age noun