How Do You Spell PAWN?

Pronunciation: [pˈɔːn] (IPA)

The word "pawn" is spelled with the combination of letters "p," "a," "w," and "n." It is pronounced /pɔːn/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "p" at the beginning of the word represents a voiceless bilabial plosive, while "a" represents the open back unrounded vowel. The "w" in "pawn" is pronounced like a voiced labiovelar approximant, and the "n" at the end represents a voiceless alveolar nasal. Together, these sounds make up the word "pawn" as we know it.

PAWN Meaning and Definition

  1. Pawn (noun):

    1. In the game of chess, a pawn refers to the most numerous and strategically simple piece. Each player begins with eight pawns that are initially positioned on the 2nd and 7th ranks of the board. Pawns are characterized by their limited movement, typically able to move forward one square at a time, although they can make their initial move two squares ahead. They capture pieces diagonally and promote to more powerful pieces when reaching the opponent's back rank. Pawns act as the backbone of a player's defense and play a crucial role in tactical and positional chess strategies.

    2. In a broader context, a pawn can refer to a person or entity that is used or manipulated by others for their own advantage or agenda. In such cases, the term exemplifies someone who is easily controlled, ignored, or undervalued. This usage of the term emerged from the concept of pawns in chess, wherein these pieces are often sacrificed to accomplish a larger strategic objective. As a metaphor, a pawn symbolizes the vulnerability or exploitation of an individual or group in various contexts, such as politics, business, or interpersonal relationships.

    3. Additionally, the term pawn can also indicate an item of value that is deposited or lent to someone as collateral in exchange for a loan or temporary use. In this context, the pawn serves as security against non-payment or as a means for accessing short-term funds. Pawnbrokers are individuals or establishments that specialize in lending money in exchange for pawning valuable items, typically jewelry, electronics, or antiques.

    Overall, the concept of a pawn involves a chess piece, an exploited individual, or an item pledged for a loan, each with distinct connotations in different contexts.

  2. • Any movable property deposited as security for the repayment of a loan of money; a pledge.
    • To pledge or give in pledge; to deposit as a security.
    • A common man at chess.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PAWN

Etymology of PAWN

The word "pawn" is derived from the Old French term "paon" or "pan", meaning "foot soldier" or "peon". It entered the English language in the late 14th century, initially referring to a foot soldier or someone of low rank. Over time, the term evolved to specifically refer to a person's move of sacrificing a valuable piece in chess, represented by the infantryman or foot soldier. Thus, the term "pawn" came to signify the chess piece and its characteristic role in the game.

Idioms with the word PAWN

  • pawn (something) off (on one) (as something else) The idiom "pawn (something) off (on one) (as something else)" means to deceive or trick someone into accepting or dealing with something by presenting it as something different or more desirable than it actually is. It implies a sense of dishonesty or manipulation in an attempt to offload or get rid of something unwanted or undesirable.
  • pawn off The idiom "pawn off" means to sell or get rid of something, usually by deceiving or misleading someone into thinking it is of greater value or quality than it actually is. It involves dishonestly persuading or tricking someone into accepting or buying something undesirable or unwanted.

Similar spelling words for PAWN

Plural form of PAWN is PAWNS

Conjugate verb Pawn

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have pawned
you would have pawned
he/she/it would have pawned
we would have pawned
they would have pawned
I would have pawn
you would have pawn
he/she/it would have pawn
we would have pawn
they would have pawn

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been pawning
you would have been pawning
he/she/it would have been pawning
we would have been pawning
they would have been pawning

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would pawn
you would pawn
he/she/it would pawn
we would pawn
they would pawn

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be pawning
you would be pawning
he/she/it would be pawning
we would be pawning
they would be pawning

FUTURE

I will pawn
you will pawn
he/she/it will pawn
we will pawn
they will pawn

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be pawning
you will be pawning
he/she/it will be pawning
we will be pawning
they will be pawning

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have pawned
you will have pawned
he/she/it will have pawned
we will have pawned
they will have pawned

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been pawning
you will have been pawning
he/she/it will have been pawning
we will have been pawning
they will have been pawning

IMPERATIVE

you pawn
we let´s pawn

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to pawn

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was pawning
you were pawning
he/she/it was pawning
we were pawning
they were pawning

PAST PARTICIPLE

pawned

PAST PERFECT

I had pawned
you had pawned
he/she/it had pawned
we had pawned
they had pawned

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been pawning
you had been pawning
he/she/it had been pawning
we had been pawning
they had been pawning

PRESENT

I pawn
you pawn
he/she/it pawns
we pawn
they pawn

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am pawning
you are pawning
he/she/it is pawning
we are pawning
they are pawning

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

pawning

PRESENT PERFECT

I have pawned
you have pawned
he/she/it has pawned
we have pawned
they have pawned

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been pawning
you have been pawning
he/she/it has been pawning
we have been pawning
they have been pawning

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it pawn

SIMPLE PAST

I pawned
you pawned
he/she/it pawned
we pawned
they pawned

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