1. An item of personal property deposited as security for a debt; a pledge or guarantee. • In modern usage, the term is usu. restricted to the pledge of jewels and other personal chattels to pawnbrokers as security for a small loan.
2. The act of depositing personal property in this manner.
3. The condition of being held on deposit as a pledge. Cf. BAILMENT.
4. PIGNUS (1). — pawn, vb.