Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Anglo-French
Origin: poun, from Medieval Latin pedo 'soldier'

pawn

1 noun
     
NEW! See related topics: BOARD GAMES
pawn1 [countable]
1DGB one of the eight smallest and least valuable pieces which each player has in the game of chess
2 someone who is used by a more powerful person or group and has no control of the situation
pawn in
They became pawns in the political battle.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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