n. A person who makes monetary loans at interest, taking personal property as security – which may be sold if not redeemed.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. See Pawnbroker.
n. One who makes a business of lending money on the security of personal property pledged or deposited in his keeping.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. One who is licensed to lend money on pledge or the deposit of goods at a legally fixed rate of interest.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. a person who lends money at interest in exchange for personal property that is deposited as security
Word Usage
"The first, whether from a friend or from a pawnbroker, is extremely distasteful; the second provides, for some people, a certain masochistic kick; the third is definitely enjoyable, but can seldom be done in a hurry."