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1

pan

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan

1 a : a usually broad, shallow, and open container for domestic use (as for cooking)
b : any of various similar usually metal receptacles: such as
(1) : the hollow part of the lock in a firelock or flintlock gun that receives the priming
(2) : either of the receptacles in a pair of scales
(3) : a round shallow usually metal container for separating metal (such as gold) from waste by washing
c British : toilet 1a; also : bowl 3b
d : steel drum
2 a (1) : a natural basin or depression in land
(2) : a similar artificial basin (as for evaporating brine)
b : a drifting fragment of the flat thin ice that forms in bays or along the shore
3 : hardpan 1
4 slang : face
5 : a harsh criticism

Origin and Etymology of pan

Middle English panne, from Old English (akin to Old High German phanna pan), from Latin patina, from Greek patanē

2

pan

verb

Definition of pan

panned; panning
transitive verb
1 a : to wash in a pan for the purpose of separating heavy particles
b : to separate (a substance, such as gold) by panning
c : to place in a pan
2 : to criticize severely
  • the show was panned
intransitive verb
1 : to wash material (such as earth or gravel) in a pan in search of metal (such as gold)
2 : to yield precious metal in the process of panning —usually used with out

First Known Use of pan

1832

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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3

pan

noun \ ˈpän \

Definition of pan

1 : a betel leaf
2 : a masticatory of betel nut, mineral lime, and pan

Origin and Etymology of pan

Hindi & Urdu pān, from Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf — more at fern

4

pan

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan

1 : the process of panning a motion-picture or video camera
2 : a shot in which the camera is panned

Origin and Etymology of pan

short for panorama

5

pan

verb \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan

panned; panning
transitive verb
: to rotate (a camera, such as a motion-picture camera) so as to keep an object in the picture or secure a panoramic effect
intransitive verb
1 : to pan a motion-picture or video camera
2 of a camera : to undergo panning

First Known Use of pan

1913

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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1

Pan

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of Pan

: a Greek god of pastures, flocks, and shepherds usually represented as having the legs, horns, and ears of a goat
  • Pan is often depicted playing a panpipe.

Origin and Etymology of pan

Latin, from Greek

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

2

Pan

abbreviation

Definition of Pan

Panama

PAN

abbreviation

Definition of PAN

peroxyacetyl nitrate

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

pan-

combining form

Definition of pan-

1 : all : completely
  • panchromatic
2 a : involving all of a (specified) group or region
  • Pan-American
b : advocating or involving the union of a (specified) group
  • Pan-Slavism
3 : whole : general
  • panleukopenia

Origin and Etymology of pan-

Greek, from pan, neuter of pant-, pas all, every; akin to Tocharian B pont- all

Phrases Related to PAN

Related Phrases

PAN Defined for Kids

1

pan

noun \ ˈpan \

Definition of pan for Students

1 : a usually shallow open container used for cooking
2 : a shallow open tray or container
  • Put the gold on the pan and we'll weigh it.
2

pan

verb

Definition of pan for Students

panned; panning
: to wash earthy material so as to collect bits of metal (as gold)
— pan out
: to give a good result : succeed

Medical Dictionary

Pan

noun \ ˈpan \

medical Definition of Pan

: a genus of anthropoid apes containing the chimpanzee

PAN

abbreviation

medical Definition of PAN

peroxyacetyl nitrate

Learn More about pan

  1. See words that rhyme with pan Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pan Spanish Central: Translation of pan Nglish: Translation of pan for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pan for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pan

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