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What is the difference between pawn and pledge?

pawn | pledge |

As nouns the difference between pawn and pledge

is that pawn is the most common chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess each side has eight; moves are only forward, attacks are only forward diagonally or en passant while pledge is a solemn promise to do something.

As verbs the difference between pawn and pledge

is that pawn is to render one's opponent a mere pawn, especially in a real-time strategy games while pledge is to make a solemn promise (to do something).

pawn

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) paun, .

Noun

(en noun)
  • (label) The most common chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess each side has eight; moves are only forward, attacks are only forward diagonally or en passant.
  • (label) Someone who is being manipulated or used to some end, usually not the end that individual would prefer.
  • :
  • *
  • *:“I'm through with all pawn -games,” I laughed. “Come, let us have a game of lansquenet. Either I will take a farewell fall out of you or you will have your sevenfold revenge”.
    • Synonyms
    * See also

    See also

    * * *

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (video games) To render one's opponent a mere pawn, especially in a real-time strategy games.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) , apparently from a Germanic language (compare Middle Dutch pant, Old High German pfant).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The state of being held as security for a loan, or as a pledge.
    • All our jewellery was in pawn by this stage.
  • * Shakespeare
    • My life I never held but as a pawn / To wage against thy enemies.
  • An instance of pawning something.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown.
  • * John Donne
    • As the morning dew is a pawn of the evening fatness, so, O Lord, let this day's comfort be the earnest of to-morrow's.
  • An item given as security on a loan, or as a pledge.
  • *, New York, 2001, p.106:
    • Brokers, takers of pawns , biting userers, I will not admit; yet I will tolerate some kind of usery.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • As for mortgaging or pawning,men will not take pawns without use [i.e. interest].
  • (rare) A pawn shop, pawnbroker.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To pledge; to stake or wager.
  • To give as security on a loan of money; especially, to deposit (something) at a pawn shop.
  • * 1965 , (Bob Dylan), (Like a Rolling Stone)
    • But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it, babe.
    Synonyms
    * (to deposit at a pawn shop) hock

    Etymology 3

    Noun

    (-)

    • See also

    * pawn off

    Anagrams

    *

    pledge

    English

    (wikipedia pledge)

    Verb

    (pledg)
  • To make a solemn promise (to do something).
  • To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
  • To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
  • * 1773 ,
    • HARDCASTLE [Taking the cup.] I hope you'll find it to your mind. I have prepared it with my own hands, and I believe you'll own the ingredients are tolerable. Will you be so good as to pledge me, sir? Here, Mr. Marlow, here is to our better acquaintance. [Drinks.]
  • * 1852 , Matthew Arnold, Tristram and Iseult
    • Reach me my golden cup that stands by thee,
    And pledge me in it first for courtesy.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A solemn promise to do something.
  • Something given by a person who is borrowing money etc to the person he has borrowed it from, to be kept until the money etc is returned.
  • A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but not yet formally approved.
  • A security to guarantee payment of a debt.
  • A drinking toast.
  • A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.

    • Synonyms

    * (l) * (l)

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l)