Etymology Map
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Pawn

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means the least valuable chess piece; a person used by others

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

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

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.