GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Pan, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Panned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Panning.]
   1. (Mining) To separate, as gold, from dirt or sand, by washing in a kind of pan. [U. S.]
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   We . . . witnessed the process of cleaning up and panning out, which is the last process of separating the pure gold from the fine dirt and black sand. Gen. W. T. Sherman.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. To criticise (a drama or literary work) harshly.
   
   [PJC]
   
   
         
       

2.       
   panning (?), n. The act or process in which heavier ores are concentrated by agitating a sample of crushed ore under water in a shallow pan, thus washing away the lighter particles from the sample; as, “panning for gold”.  See pan1, v. t. and pan1, v. i.
   
   [PJC]