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    Empeñaba (en. Was committed)

    /empeˈɲaβa/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishSpanish
    verb
    To give something as collateral as a guarantee of an obligation.
    She pawned her ring to get a loan.
    Ella empeñaba su anillo para obtener un préstamo.
    To secure a commitment or debt with a valuable item.
    The bank told him that he could not pawn his car if it was in poor condition.
    El banco le dijo que no se podía empeñar su coche si estaba en mal estado.
    To provide collateral to ensure a transaction.
    The merchant pawned his goods to raise capital.
    El comerciante empeñaba su mercancía para conseguir capital.

    Etymology

    From the verb empeñar, which comes from the Latin 'impignāre'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    to pawn something
    To give an item as collateral to secure a debt.
    empeñar algo
    to pawn one's life
    To severely compromise a situation or future due to a decision.
    empeñar la vida
    to pawn a secret
    To share a secret on the condition that it will not be disclosed.
    empeñar un secreto

    Related Words

    pawn
    Action of pawning or collateral given as a guarantee.
    empeño
    pawnbroker
    A person who lends money in exchange for collateral.
    empeñador
    collateral
    An item given as a guarantee.
    prenda

    Slang Meanings

    To pawn something informally to get quick cash.
    There is a place on the corner where you can pawn clothes.
    En la esquina hay un lugar donde puedes empeñar ropa.
    To use something valuable to obtain cash immediately.
    He pawned his guitar to pay the bills.
    Él empeñó su guitarra para pagar las cuentas.