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pegno

pledge

noun PEH-nyoh Rare
People & Society Money

Origin: From Latin pignus, 'security, pledge'.

Also means

token, pawn

Usage Note

Pegno covers two related ideas: a physical object given as security for a debt (dare qualcosa in pegno, to pawn something) and a symbolic token of affection or commitment (un pegno d'amore, a token of love). The Monte dei Pegni is the traditional pawnshop institution in Italy. Do not confuse it with peggio ('worse').

Examples

"Ha lasciato l'orologio come pegno."

Natural Translation

He left the watch as a pledge.

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