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单词 pawn
释义

pawn1

/pɔːn /
noun
1A chess piece of the smallest size and value, that moves one square forwards along its file if unobstructed (or two on the first move), or one square diagonally forwards when making a capture. Each player begins with eight pawns on the second rank, and can promote a pawn to become any other piece (typically a queen) if it reaches the opponent’s end of the board.The game of chess with sword-wielding pawns and deadly queens is both dramatic and mightily beautiful....
  • Finally when a player promotes a pawn, they swap it for one of the pieces that their partner's opponent is waiting to place on their board.
  • Also important is the number of pawns on the board, especially when the minor piece is the knight.
1.1A person used by others for their own purposes: he was a pawn in the game of power politics...
  • To her father, she was merely a bargaining tool, a pawn in the game of politics, not a daughter.
  • They were no longer willing to be pawns in the game of power being played out between the Indian and Pakistani governments, or indeed the militants.
  • Up to now, these nations have been able to play around with terrorists as if they were pawns in this geopolitical game.

Synonyms

puppet, dupe, hostage, counter, cog;
tool, cat's paw, instrument
informal stooge

Origin

Late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French poun, from medieval Latin pedo, pedon- 'foot soldier', from Latin pes, ped- 'foot'. Compare with peon.

  • There are two separate words here. The pawn in chess came via Anglo-Norman French poun, from medieval Latin pedo ‘foot soldier’, from Latin pes, ped- ‘foot’ (source of pedal (early 17th century), pedestal (mid 16th century), and pedestrian (mid 18th century)). Figurative use ‘a person used by others for their own purposes’ is recorded from the late 16th century. In the sense ‘to deposit an object as security for money lent’, pawn entered English from French pan ‘pledge, security’ in the 15th century.

Rhymes

pawn2

/pɔːn /
verb [with object]
Deposit (an object) with a pawnbroker as security for money lent: I pawned the necklace to cover the loan...
  • When Florentine grooms gave presents of jewels and clothes to their brides, they expected to retain or reappropriate the use of them at a later date, sometimes lending or pawning them.
  • In earlier centuries, the principal assets people had were their clothes, and they borrowed money by pawning their clothing.
  • I loved her, really, but I needed to pay for a late payment on my car insurance so I pawned her diamond necklace.

Synonyms

pledge, deposit with a pawnbroker, put in pawn, give as security, put up as security/collateral, use as collateral, mortgage
informal hock, put in hock
British informal pop
noun archaic
An object left as security for money lent: the bank did lend money upon pawns at low interest

Phrases

in pawn

Phrasal verbs

pawn someone/thing off

Origin

Late 15th century (as a noun): from Old French pan 'pledge, security', of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch pand and German Pfand.

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更新时间:2024/9/20 9:22:12