Pan \Pan\, n. [OE. panne, AS. panne; cf. D. pan, G. pfanne, OHG.
   pfanna, Icel., Sw., LL., & Ir. panna, of uncertain origin;
   cf. L. patina, E. paten.]
   1. A shallow, open dish or vessel, usually of metal, employed
      for many domestic uses, as for setting milk for cream, for
      frying or baking food, etc.; also employed for various
      uses in manufacturing. "A bowl or a pan." --Chaucer.
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   2. (Manuf.) A closed vessel for boiling or evaporating. See
      Vacuum pan, under Vacuum.
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   3. The part of a flintlock which holds the priming.
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   4. The skull, considered as a vessel containing the brain;
      the upper part of the head; the brainpan; the cranium.
      --Chaucer.
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   5. (Carp.) A recess, or bed, for the leaf of a hinge.
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   6. The hard stratum of earth that lies below the soil. See
      Hard pan, under Hard.
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   7. A natural basin, containing salt or fresh water, or mud.
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   Flash in the pan. See under Flash.

   To savor of the pan, to suggest the process of cooking or
      burning; in a theological sense, to be heretical.
      --Ridley. Southey.
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