English word pawn comes from Proto-Indo-European *póds, and later Latin pedis (Louse.)
You can also see our other etymologies for the English word pawn. Currently you are viewing the etymology of pawn with the meaning: (Noun) (chess) The most common chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess each side has eight; moves are only forward, and attacks are only forward diagonally or en passant.. [...](chess) The most common chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess each side has eight; moves are only forward, and attacks are only forward diagonally or en passant.. [...]
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *póds | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| pedis | Latin (lat) | Louse. |
| pedo | Late Latin (LL) | |
| pedō | Late Latin (LL) | |
| poun | Old French (fro) | (chess) pawn. Walker; pedestrian. |
| poon | Old French (fro) | (chess) pawn. |
| paun | Anglo-Norman (xno) | |
| pawn | English (eng) | (chess) The most common chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess each side has eight; moves are only forward, and attacks are only forward diagonally or en passant.. (colloquial) Someone who is being manipulated or used to some end, usually not the end that individual would prefer. |