[pan] n [ME panne, fr. OE (akin to OHG phanna pan), fr. L patina, fr. Gk patane] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a usu. broad, shallow, and open container for domestic use (as for warming, baking, or frying) b: any of various similar usu. 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 metal container for separating metal (as gold) from waste by washing
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
[2]pan vb panned ; pan.ning vt (1839) 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" ~ vi 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--usu. used with out [3]pan n [Hindi pan, fr. Skt parna wing, leaf--more at fern] (1616) 1: a betel leaf
2: a masticatory of betel nut, mineral lime, and pan [4]pan n [short for panorama] (ca. 1922) 1: the process of panning a motion-picture or video camera
2: a shot in which the camera is panned [5]pan vb panned ; pan.ning vt (1930): to rotate (as a motion-picture camera) so as to keep an object in the picture or secure a panoramic effect ~ vi 1: to pan a motion-picture or video camera
2. of a camera: to undergo panning Pan n [L, fr. Gk]: a Greek god of pastures, flocks, and shepherds usu. represented as having the legs, horns, and ears of a goat