First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pan
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: 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 (as gold) from waste by washing c British : toilet 3b; 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 of PAN
Middle English panne, from Old English (akin to Old High German phanna pan), from Latin patina, from Greek patanē
2pan
verb
pannedpan·ning
Definition of PAN
transitive verb
1
a : to wash in a pan for the purpose of separating heavy particles b : to separate (as gold) by panning c : to place in a pan
2
: to criticize severely <the show was panned>
intransitive verb
1
: to wash material (as earth or gravel) in a pan in search of metal (as gold)
2
: to yield precious metal in the process of panning —usually used with out
First Known Use of PAN
1839
3pan
noun \ˈpän\
Definition of PAN
1
: a betel leaf
2
: a masticatory of betel nut, mineral lime, and pan
Origin of PAN
Hindi & Urdu pān, from Sanskrit parṇa wing, leaf — more at fern
First Known Use: 1616
4pan
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 of PAN
short for panorama
First Known Use: circa 1922
5pan
verb \ˈpan\
pannedpan·ning
Definition of PAN
transitive verb
: to rotate (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
1930
1Pan
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
Origin of PAN
Latin, from Greek
First Known Use: 14th century
2Pan
abbreviation
Definition of PAN
Panama
PAN
abbreviation
Definition of PAN
peroxyacetyl nitrate
PAN Defined for Kids
1pan
noun \ˈpan\
Definition of PAN for Kids
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.>
2pan
verb
pannedpan·ning
Definition of PAN for Kids
: to wash earthy material so as to collect bits of metal (as gold)
— pan out
: to give a good result : succeed
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