pawn

Where does the word "pawn" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin pedo, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Pawn’s story begins in Medieval Latin: pedo meant “foot soldier.” From 'pes', foot, the root of 'pedestrian'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as poon. The lowliest chess piece. It reached English by 1300s as pawn. 'pawn' as a pledge in a pawnshop is a different word. Today, pawn means the least valuable chess piece; a person used by others.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval pedo "foot soldier", from 'pes', foot, the root of 'pedestrian'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval poon "foot soldier", the lowliest chess piece.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s pawn "chess piece", 'pawn' as a pledge in a pawnshop is a different word.