pawn; pawned article
Refers to an item left at a pawnshop as collateral for a loan. Often used in the phrase 質に入れる (to pawn).
See also: 質に入れる (しちにいれる)
I pawned my watch and borrowed money.
Abstract sense: something given as a guarantee or security for a promise or obligation. Less common than the pawnshop sense.
This ring is being held as a pawn.
He left his seal as a pledge of good faith.
Standard kanji spelling for the pawn/pledge meaning. Do not confuse with 質 (しつ, quality).
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing to avoid confusion with しつ.
A Sino-Japanese use of 質 in its older sense “pledge” or “security,” inherited from classical Chinese usage in which the character could denote something or someone held as a guarantee.
pledge; right of pledge; pledge right
pawn; pledge; collateral
pawnshop
article for pawning; pawned item
repledge; subpledge
taking an object hostage