impawn, v.
(ɪmˈpɔːn)
Also 6 impaune; 7 empawn, -paun.
[f. im-1 + pawn v. or n.]
1. trans. To put in pawn; to pledge as security; to pawn.
| 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iv. iii. 108 Let there be impawn'd Some suretie for a safe returne againe. 1625–6 Purchas Pilgrims ii. 1269 He said he had impawned his Beard for a great summe to certaine Creditors. 1681 S. Colvil Whigs Supplic. (1751) 63 Some of them empawn'd thir cloaks. 1814 Mrs. J. West Alicia de Lacy III. 42 She offered to impawn the family jewels. |
| fig. 1838 Emerson War Wks. 1884 XI. 196 A wise man will never impawn his future being and action, and decide beforehand what he shall do in a given extreme event. |
b. fig. To pledge, plight (faith, etc.).
| a 1628 F. Grevil Sidney (1652) 32 My faith impawned to the Prince of Orange. a 1677 Manton Serm. Ps. cxix. verse 92 Wks. 1872 VII. 426 God..impawneth his truth with us to do us good. 1881 Swinburne Mary Stuart i. ii. 51 We held impawned The faith of Barnes. |
2. fig. To risk the safety of, to put in hazard.
| 1613 Sherley Trav. Persia 23 Hee..wished me to haue regard (if not to my selfe) yet to so many, which he did imagine were impawned in that misfortune by my meanes. |