a chess piece of the smallest size and least value. Each player has eight pawns at the start of a game. (国际象棋的)兵,卒 He had to sacrifice another pawn. 他不得不牺牲另一枚棋子。
a person or group whose actions are controlled by more powerful people 被利用的人;走卒 The hostages are being used as political pawns. 人质正被用作政治卒子。 The prince became a pawn in the game of power politics. 王子成了权力政治游戏中的一枚棋子。
Word Originnoun late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French poun, from medieval Latin pedo, pedon- ‘foot soldier’, from Latin pes, ped- ‘foot’. Compare with peon.