Etymology dictionary
pan (v.1) — paper (n.)
pan (v.1)
"to wash (gravel or sand) in a pan in search of gold," 1839, from pan (n.); thus to pan out "turn out, succeed" (1868) is a figurative use (the expression in the literal sense of "yield gold when washed out in a pan" is by 1849). The meaning "criticize severely" is from 1911, probably from the notion in contemporary slang expressions such as on the pan "under reprimand or criticism" (1923), probably from the notion of being roasted or fried. Related: Panned; panning.
pan (v.2)
"follow with a camera," 1913 shortening of panoramic in panoramic camera (1878). Meaning "to swing from one object to another in a scene" is from 1931. Related: Panned; panning.
pan (n.)
"broad, shallow vessel of metal used for domestic purposes," Middle English panne, from Old English panne, earlier ponne (Mercian) "pan," from Proto-Germanic *panno "pan" (source also of Old Norse panna, Old Frisian panne, Middle Dutch panne, Dutch pan, Old Low German panna, Old High German phanna, German pfanne), probably an early borrowing (4c. or 5c.) from Vulgar Latin *patna. This is supposed to be from Latin patina "shallow pan, dish, stew-pan," from Greek patane "plate, dish," from PIE *pet-ano-, from root *pete- "to spread."
But both the Latin and Germanic words might be from a substrate language [Boutkan]. Irish panna probably is from English, and Lithuanian panė is from German.
The word has been used of any hollow thing shaped somewhat like a pan; the sense of "head, top of the head" is by c. 1300. It was used of pan-shaped parts of mechanical apparatus from c. 1590; hence flash in the pan (see flash (n.1)), a figurative use from early firearms, where a pan held the priming (and the gunpowder might "flash," but no shot ensue). To go out of the (frying) pan into the fire "escape one evil only to fall into a worse" is in Spenser (1596).
panacea (n.)
"universal remedy," 1540s, from Latin panacea, a herb (variously identified) that would heal all illnesses, from Greek panakeia "cure-all," from panakēs "all-healing," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + akos "cure," from iasthai "to heal" (see -iatric). Earlier in English as panace (1510s).
panache (n.)
1550s, "a tuft or plume of feathers," especially as worn in a hat or helmet, from French pennache "tuft of feathers," from Italian pennaccio, from Late Latin pinnaculum "small wing, gable, peak" (see pinnacle). Figurative sense of "display, swagger" is recorded from 1898 (in translation of "Cyrano de Bergerac"), from French.
pan-Africanism
1955, from pan-African (1900), from pan- + African.
Panama
Central American nation; the name is used of a political jurisdiction by 1530s in Spanish, probably from an unknown Guarani word, traditionally said to mean "place of many fish." Originally the name of the settlement founded 1519 (destroyed 1671 but subsequently rebuilt). Related: Panamanian. Panama hat, made from the leaves of the screw pine, is attested from 1833, a misnomer, because it originally was made in Ecuador, but perhaps so called in American English because it was distributed north from Panama City. Panama red as a variety of Central American marijuana is attested from 1967.
pan-Arabism (n.)
"the ideal of a political union of the Arab states," 1930; see pan- + Arab + -ism.
panatela (n.)
also panetela, panetella, type of long, thin cigar, 1901, from Spanish panatela, literally "sponge-cake" (in American Spanish, "a long, thin biscuit"), a diminutive, formed from Latin panis "bread," from PIE root *pa- "to feed."
Panavision (n.)
1955, proprietary name of a type of wide-screen lens, a word formed from elements of panorama + vision.
pancake (n.)
"flapjack, griddle-cake, thin cake of batter fried or baked in a pan," c. 1400, panne-cake (late 13c. as a surname), from pan (n.) + cake (n.); as symbol of flatness c. 1600 (Middle English had as plat a kake, early 15c.). Colloquial Pancake Tuesday for "Shrove Tuesday" (by 1777) is from the old custom of eating them then.
pancake (v.)
"to squeeze flat," 1879, from pancake (n.). Later, of aircraft, "to fall flat" (1911), with figurative extension. Related: Pancaked; pancaking.
panchen
Tibetian Buddhist title of respect, 1763, abbreviation of pandi-tachen-po, literally "great learned one."
pancratium (n.)
in ancient Greece, a contest combining wrestling and boxing, c. 1600, from Latinized form of Greek pankration, literally "complete contest," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + kratos "strength," from PIE *kre-tes- "power, strength," suffixed form of root *kar- "hard."
pancreas (n.)
gland of the abdomen, 1570s, from Latinized form of Greek pankreas "sweetbread (pancreas as food), pancreas," literally "entirely flesh," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + kreas "flesh" (from PIE root *kreue- "raw flesh"), probably so called for the homogeneous substance of the organ. Related: Pancreatic.
pancreatitis (n.)
"inflammation of the pancreas," 1824 (Dr. George Pearson Dawson), medical Latin, from combining form of pancreas + -itis "inflammation." Related: Pancreatitic.
panda (n.)
1835, in reference to a carnivorous raccoon-like mammal (the lesser panda) of the Himalayas, from French, apparently from the Nepalese name of the animal. The first reference in English to the Giant Panda is from 1901; since its discovery in 1869 by French missionary Armand David (1826-1900) it had been known as parti-colored bear, but the name was changed after the zoological relationship to the red panda was established.
pandemic (adj.)
of diseases, "incident to a whole people or region," 1660s, from Late Latin pandemus, from Greek pandemos "pertaining to all people; public, common," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + dēmos "people" (see demotic). Modeled on epidemic; OED reports that it is "Distinguished from epidemic, which may connote limitation to a smaller area." The noun, "a pandemic disease," is recorded by 1853, from the adjective. Related: Pandemia.
pandemonium (n.)
1667, Pandæmonium, in "Paradise Lost" the name of the palace built in the middle of Hell, "the high capital of Satan and all his peers," and the abode of all the demons; coined by John Milton (1608-1674) from Greek pan- "all" (see pan-) + Late Latin daemonium "evil spirit," from Greek daimonion "inferior divine power," from daimōn "lesser god" (see demon).
Transferred sense "place of uproar and disorder" is from 1779; that of "wild, lawless confusion" is from 1865. Related: Pandemoniac; pandemoniacal; pandemonian; pandemonic.
pander (n.)
"arranger of sexual liaisons, one who caters for the lusts of others," 1520s, "procurer, pimp," from Middle English Pandare (late 14c.), used by Chaucer ("Troylus and Cryseyde"), who borrowed it from Boccaccio (who had it in Italian form Pandaro in "Filostrato") as name of the prince (Greek Pandaros), who procured the love of Cressida (his niece in Chaucer, his cousin in Boccaccio) for Troilus. The story and the name are medieval inventions. The name turns up in ancient Greek, but without the story; in Homer he is a Lycian participant in the Trojan War. The name is thus perhaps non-Greek. Spelling in English was influenced by the agent-noun suffix -er.
pander (v.)
"to indulge (another), to minister to base passions, cater for the lusts of others," c. 1600, from pander (n.). Meaning "to minister to others' prejudices for selfish ends" is from c. 1600. Related: Pandered; panderer; pandering.
pandiculation (n.)
"an instinctive stretching of oneself, as upon awakening," 1610s, noun of action from past-participle stem of Latin pandiculari "to stretch oneself," from pandere "to stretch" (from nasalized form of PIE root *pete- "to spread"). Sometimes used inaccurately for "a yawning."
Pandora
1630s, in Greek mythology, the name of the first mortal woman, made by Hephaestus and given as a bride to Epimetheus, from Greek Pandōra "all-gifted" (or perhaps "giver of all"), from pan- "all" (see pan-) + dōron "gift" (from PIE root *do- "to give").
Pandora's box (1570s) refers to her gift from Zeus, which was foolishly opened by Epimetheus, upon which all the contents escaped. They were said to be the host of human ills (escaping to afflict mankind), or, in a later version, all the blessings of the god (escaping to be lost), except Hope, which alone remained.
pandowdy (n.)
also pandoulde, etc., "pudding of bread and apples baked together," usually cooked with molasses," 1846, American English colloquial, of uncertain origin. It appears as the name of a character in a temperance story from 1839, and pandoodle is the name of some sort of dish available on a sailing ship in 1775.
pane (n.)
mid-13c., "garment, cloak, mantle; a part of a garment;" later "side of a building, section of a wall," from Old French pan "section, piece, panel" (11c.) and directly from Latin pannum (nominative pannus) "piece of cloth, garment," possibly from PIE root *pan- "fabric" (source also of Gothic fana "piece of cloth," Greek pēnos "web," Old English fanna "flag"). De Vaan writes, "If the Gr. and Gm. words listed are related, they probably represent loanwords from an unknown source."
From late 14c. as "section of a wall," also "ornamental hanging, coverlet," and c. 1400 as "a bedspread." The general notion in the word is "distinct part or piece of a surface." Sense of "piece of glass inserted in a window" is attested by mid-15c.
panegyric (n.)
"eulogy, laudation, praise bestowed upon some person, action, or character," c. 1600, from French panégyrique (1510s), from Latin panegyricus "public eulogy," originally an adjective, "for a public festival," from Greek panēgyrikos (logos) "(a speech) given in or addressed to a public assembly," from panēgyris "public assembly (especially in honor of a god)," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + agyris "place of assembly," Aeolic form of agora (see agora). Related: Panegyrical; panegyrist.
panel (v.)
mid-15c., panelen, "to empanel (a jury)," from panel (n.). From 1630s as "to furnish (a room) with panels." Related: Paneled; paneling; panelling.
panelling (n.)
also paneling, "the making of panels; panels collectively," 1800, verbal noun from panel (v.).
panel (n.)
early 14c., "a piece of cloth," especially a rectangular piece, from Old French panel "piece of cloth, piece, saddle cushion" (Modern French panneau), from Vulgar Latin *pannellus, diminutive of Latin pannus "piece of cloth" (see pane).
Anglo-French legalese sense of "piece of parchment (cloth) listing the names of those summoned to serve upon a jury" led by late 14c. to the meaning "a jury selected for a trial." General sense of "persons called on to advise, judge, discuss," etc. is from 1570s. Sense of "more or less distinct part of the surface of a wall, door, etc." is recorded from c. 1600.
Panel-house (said to be from 1840s; popular from 1870s) was old slang for a disreputable place (typically a bordello) with panneled rooms. At least one panel could be slid back to allow for thefts from customers and other cheats. Hence panel-thief, panel-game, etc.
panelist (n.)
1937, "member of a discussion panel," American English, from panel (n.) + -ist. By 1950 in reference to quiz shows.
panem et circenses
Latin, literally "bread and circuses," supposedly coined by Juvenal and describing the cynical formula of the Roman emperors for keeping the masses content with ample food and entertainment.
panettone
"type of sweet Italian bread," a specialty of the Lombardy region, made with candied fruit, etc., popular at holidays, by 1904, from Milanese dialect panatton (itself attested as an Italian word in English by 1862), a variant, probably augmentative, form of Italian pane "bread," from Latin panis "bread," from PIE root *pa- "to feed."
pan-European (adj.)
"of or pertaining to all of Europe," 1856; see pan- + European.
panfish (n.)
also pan-fish, "fish of the right size and quality for frying whole in a pan," by 1814, American English, from pan (n.1) + fish (n.).
pang (n.)
1520s, "sudden paroxysm of physical pain, acute painful spasm," a word of unknown origin, not found in Middle English. Perhaps it is related to prong (prongys of deth is recorded from mid-15c.). Reference to mental or emotional pain is from 1560s. As a verb, "cause or suffer a pang or pangs," c. 1500. Related: Pangs.
Pangaea
"supercontinent of the late Paleozoic era," 1924, from Greek pan- "all" (see pan-) + gaia "earth" (see Gaia). First attested in German, 1920, in Alfred Wegener's "Die Entstehung der Kontinente und Ozeane" (but according to OED the word is not found in 1914 first edition).
pan-German (adj.)
"of or pertaining to all the Germans," 1869; see pan- + German.
Panglossian (adj.)
"optimistic" (usually ironic or disparaging), 1831, from French Panglosse, the name of the philosopher and tutor in Voltaire's "Candide" (1758), from pan- "all" (see pan-) + Greek glōssa, literally "tongue" (see gloss (n.2)).
pangolin (n.)
1774, "scaly, toothless, ant-eating mammal of Java," from Malay (Austronesian) peng-goling "roller," from its habit of curling into a ball; from peng- (denominative prefix) + goling "to roll." Later extended to related species elsewhere in Asia and in Africa.
panhandle (n.)
"long, narrow projecting strip; something resembling the handle of a pan," 1851, from pan (n.) + handle (n.). Especially in geography, originally American English, in reference to a long, narrow strip projecting from a state or territory interposed between two other states or territories: from 1856, in reference to the spike of Virginia (now West Virginia) between Ohio and Pennsylvania. Florida, Texas, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Alaska also have them.
Meaning "an act of begging" is attested from 1849, perhaps from notion of an arm stuck out like a panhandle, or of one who handles a (beggar's) pan.
panhandle (v.)
"to beg," 1888, from panhandle (n.) in the begging sense. Related: Panhandled; panhandling.
panhandler (n.)
"one who begs," 1893, from panhandle (n.) in the begging sense. Related: Panhandled; panhandler; panhandling.
Panhellenic (adj.)
also pan-Hellenic, 1819 in a modern context, "pertaining to or involving all the Greeks," from Greek Panhellēnes "all the Hellenes;" see pan- + Hellenic. From 1794 in reference to ancient Greece. Related: Panhellenism "desire to unite all the Greeks into one political body" (1844).
panic (v.)
1827, "to afflict with panic," from panic (n.). Intransitive sense of "to lose one's head, get into a panic" is from 1902. Related: Panicked; panicking.
panic (n.1)
"sudden mass terror," especially an exaggerated fright affecting a number of persons without visible cause or inspired by trifling cause or danger, 1708, from an earlier adjective (c. 1600, modifying fear, terror, etc.), from French panique (15c.), from Greek panikon, literally "pertaining to Pan," the god of woods and fields, who was the source of mysterious sounds that caused contagious, groundless fear in herds and crowds, or in people in lonely spots. In the sense of "panic, fright" the Greek word is short for panikon deima "panic fright," from neuter of Panikos "of Pan."
The meaning "widespread apprehension in a trading community about financial matters" is recorded by 1757. Panic-stricken is attested from 1804. Panic attack attested by 1970. Panic button in a figurative sense is by 1948 in the jargon of jet pilots; the literal sense is by 1965 in reference to prison security.
panic (n.2)
type of grass, mid-15c., panik, from Old French panic "Italian millet," from Latin panicum "panic grass, kind of millet," from panus "ear of millet, a swelling," from PIE root *pa- "to feed."
panicky (adj.)
"of or pertaining to panic; inclined to panic," 1865, in a U.S. Civil War context, from panic (n.1) + -y (2). Related: Panickiness.
panini (n.)
by 1974, originally in an Italian context, where the word means "small bread rolls," typically filled sandwich style; plural of panino, a diminutive of pane "bread," from Latin panis "bread," from PIE root *pa- "to feed." Used since c. 1980 on U.S. restaurant menus in reference to sandwiches made with a small flat loaf of Italian bread.
pan-Islamic (adj.)
also pan-Islamic, "of or pertaining to all Muslims or Islamic lands," 1881; see pan- + Islamic. Related: Panislamism "aspiration of a union of Islamic countries."
panjandrum (n.)
mock name for a pompous personage of power and pretension, 1880, a word said to have been invented in 1755 by Samuel Foote (1720-1777) in a long passage full of nonsense written to test the memory of actor Charles Macklin (1697-1797), who said he could repeat anything after hearing it once.
panne (n.)
"soft, velvet-like cloth," 1794, from French panne "soft material, plush" (15c.), earlier penne (13c.), of unknown origin; perhaps from Latin penna "feather" (from PIE root *pet- "to rush, to fly").
pannel
see panel.
pannier (n.)
c. 1300, paniere, "large basket for provisions," from Old French panier, paniere "basket," from Latin panarium "bread-basket," noun use of a neuter adjective meaning "pertaining to bread," from panis "bread" (from PIE root *pa- "to feed"). Transferred sense of "frame of whalebone, etc., used to distend the skirt of a woman's dress at the hips" is by 1869.
pannikin (n.)
"small metal cup for drinking," 1823, from pan (n.) + diminutive suffix -kin. Described originally as a Suffolk dialect word, OED reports it "Exceedingly common in Austr[alia]."
Pannonia
ancient name of the region roughly corresponding now to western Hungary, from Latin, from Greek Pannonia. Related: Pannonian; Pannonic.
panocha (n.)
also panoche, "coarse grade of sugar made in Mexico," 1847, from American Spanish panocha "brown sugar," perhaps ultimately from Latin panucula "tuft," diminutive of panus "tuft, swelling; ear of millet," from PIE root *pa- "to feed."
panoply (n.)
1570s, "complete suit of armor," from Greek panoplia "complete suit of armor," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + hopla (plural), "arms" of a hoplites ("heavily armed soldier"); see hoplite. Originally in English figurative, of "spiritual armor," etc. (a reference to Ephesians vi); non-armorial sense of "any splendid array" is by 1829. Related: Panoplied.
panoptic (adj.)
"all-seeing," 1826, from Greek panoptēs "all-seeing," from pan- "all" (see pan-) + optos "seen, visible" (from PIE root *okw- "to see"). Related: Panoptical.
panopticon (n.)
1768, a type of optical instrument or telescope, from Greek pan "all" (see pan-) + optikon, neuter of optikos "of or for sight" (from PIE root *okw- "to see"). Later it was also the name of a type of prison designed by Bentham (1791) in which wardens had a constant view of all inmates, and "a showroom" (1850).
panoramic (adj.)
"pertaining to or of the nature of a panorama," by 1803; see panorama + -ic. Panoramic camera is attested from 1878.
panorama (n.)
1796, "a painting on a revolving cylindrical surface," representing scenes too extended to be beheld all at once, coined c. 1789 by inventor, Irish artist Robert Barker, literally "a complete view," from pan- "all" + Greek horama "sight, spectacle, that which is seen," from horan "to look, see," which is possibly from PIE root *wer- (3) "to perceive, observe." Meaning "comprehensive survey, complete or entire view" is by 1801.
pansexual (adj.)
1926 (pansexualism is from 1917), from pan- + sexual. Originally in reference to the view that the sex instinct plays the primary part in all human activity, mental and physical; Freud's critics held this to be his view, and the word became a term of reproach leveled at early psychology. Meaning "not limited in sexual choice" is attested by 1972. Related: Pansexuality.
pansy (n.)
"a type of violet, popular as a garden flower," mid-15c., pense, from Old French pensee. pencee "a pansy," literally "thought, remembrance," from fem. past participle of penser "to think," from Latin pensare "consider," a figurative use of a frequentative of pendere "to hang, cause to hang; weigh; pay" (from PIE root *(s)pen- "to draw, stretch, spin"). So called because it was regarded as a symbol of thought or remembrance.
Meaning "effeminate homosexual man" is recorded by 1929. Related: Pansified (1941) "over-adorned, affectedly effeminate."
Panslavism (n.)
also pan-slavism, "ideal of a united civilization and literature of the Slavic peoples; movement for the union of the Slavic peoples under the hegemony of Russia," 1846, from German Pansclavismus, coined as a linguistic term by Herkel in 1826. Related: Panslavic.
pant (n.)
"a gasping breath, a quick, short effort of breathing," c. 1500, from pant (v.).
panting (n.)
"gasping, a difficulty in breathing," mid-15c., noun of action from pant (v.).
pants (n.)
"trousers, drawers," 1840, see pantaloons. The word was limited to vulgar and commercial use at first.
Colloquial singular pant is attested from 1893. To wear the pants "be the dominant member of a household" is by 1931. To do something by the seat of (one's) pants "by human instinct" is from 1942, originally of pilots, perhaps with some notion of being able to sense the condition and situation of the plane by engine vibrations, etc. To be caught with (one's) pants down "discovered in an embarrassing condition" is from 1932.
pant (v.)
mid-14c., panten, "breathe hard or rapidly," perhaps a shortening of Old French pantaisier "gasp, puff, pant, be out of breath, be in distress" (12c.), which is probably from Vulgar Latin *pantasiare "be oppressed with a nightmare, struggle for breathing during a nightmare," literally "to have visions," from Greek phantasioun "have or form images, subject to hallucinations," from phantasia "appearance, image, fantasy" (from PIE root *bha- (1) "to shine"). Related: Panted; panting.
pantagamy (n.)
"communistic group marriage," in which every man in the group is regarded as equally the husband of every woman in it and vice versa; especially as practiced at in mid-19c. Perfectionist communes such as that of Oneida, New York; 1852, from Greek pantos "all" (see pan-) + -gamy "marriage." A malformation, it would properly be *pantogamy; as pant- was the short form of the Greek word before a vowel, and Greek agamy was "celibacy," the modern word would literally mean "celibacy of all."
Pantaloon (n.)
name of the skinny, foolish old man in Italian comedy, 1580s; see pantaloons. As a kind of leggings, from 1660s.
pantaloons (n.)
1660s, kind of tights-like garment for men (consisting of breeches and stockings in one; originally a French fashion and execrated as such by late 17c. English writers), associated with Pantaloun, Pantaloon (1580s), the silly old man character in Italian comedy, who wore spectacles, slippers, and tight trousers over his skinny legs. His name is from Italian Pantalone, which is of Greek origin and means "all-compassionate" (Littré). It's sometimes said he was named for Saint Pantaleone but others doubt this; Greek derived names were fashionable for characters in the early Italian comedies, and it may have been chosen simply for being a Greek name.
By 1798 the word was revived in reference to tight long trousers buttoned or tied below the knee (replacing knee-breeches), worn by men of fashion. These were gradually replaced by modern trousers, but the name persisted. Pants is a shortened form attested by 1840. The diminutive pantalettes for "loose drawers with frills at the bottoms of the legs, worn by young girls," is by 1834.
pantarchy (n.)
"state in which rule is invested in the whole people," 1853, from combining form of Greek pantos "all" (see pan-) + -archy "rule." Related: Pantarchic (1872).
Panthalassa (n.)
"universal sea," such as that which surrounded Pangaea, 1893 (Suess), from Greek pan- "all" (see pan-) + thalassa "sea" (see thalasso-).
pantheism (n.)
"the belief or metaphysical doctrine that God and the universe are identical" (implying a denial of the personality of God), 1732, from pantheist (n.), which was coined 1705 by Irish deist John Toland (1670-1722), from Greek pan- "all" (see pan-) + -theism. Toland's word was borrowed into French, which from it formed panthéisme (1712) which returned to English as pantheism "the doctrine that all is god" in 1732 (there is no evidence that Toland himself used pantheism).
By 1895, the "Century Dictionary's" editors wrote that "Pantheism is essentially unchristian; and the word implies rather the reprobation of the speaker than any very definite opinion." Greek pantheios meant "common to all gods" (see pantheon). Other words used at various times for similar notions include panentheism, "philosophy founded on the notion that all things are in God" (1874), from German (1828), coined by Karl Christian Friedrich Krause (1781-1832).
pantheist (n.)
"one who holds the doctrines of pantheism; one who believes God and the universe are identical," 1705, see pantheism + -ist.
pantheistic (adj.)
"of or pertaining to pantheism. tending to identify God with the universe," 1732, from pantheist + -ic.
pantheon (n.)
early 15c., Panteon "the Pantheon in Rome," from Latin Pantheon, name of a temple dedicated to all the gods built in Rome c. 25 B.C.E. by Agrippa (since 609 C.E. made into the Christian church of Santa Maria Rotonda), from Greek Pantheion (hieron) "(shrine) of all the gods," from pantheion, neuter of pantheios, from pan- "all" (see pan-) + theios "of or for the gods," from theos "god" (from PIE root *dhes-, forming words for religious concepts). In reference to any group of exalted persons from 1590s.
panther (n.)
mid-13c., panter, another name for the leopard, from Old French pantere "panther" (12c.) and directly from Latin panthera, from Greek panther "panther, leopard," probably of Oriental origin. An ancient folk-etymology derivation from Greek pan- "all" + thēr "beast" led to many curious fables. The word was applied to the American cougar or puma by 1730.
panties (n.)
1845, "drawers for men" (derogatory), diminutive of pants with -ie. The meaning "underpants for women or girls" is recorded by 1908. The college prank panty raid is attested from 1952.
pantisocracy (n.)
"utopian community in which all have equal rights, rank, and social position," 1794, apparently coined by Coleridge, in partnership with Southey, literally "equal rule of all," from Greek pantos, genitive of pan "all" (see pan-) + isocratia "equality of power" (see isocracy). Related: Pantisocrat; pantisocratic.
pantomime (n.)
1610s, "mime actor, one who expresses meaning by action, not words," from Latin pantomimus "mime, dancer," from Greek pantomimos "actor," literally "imitator of all," from panto- (genitive of pan) "all" (see pan-) + mimos "imitator" (see mime (n.)).
The original sense is archaic or obsolete. The meaning "drama or play without words," in which the plot is expressed by mute gestures, is recorded by 1735. The English dramatic performances so called, usually produced at Christmas and with words and songs and stock characters, are attested by this name from 1739; said to have originated c. 1717. Related: Pantomimic; pantomimical.
pantomime (v.)
1746, "representing only in mute action; 1768, "express by actions, not words," from pantomime (n.). Related: Pantomimed; pantomiming.
pantophobia (n.)
"morbid fear of everything," attested by 1848 in medical journals for a psychological condition described as "monomania, with fear and terror," from Greek pantos, neuter genitive of pas "all" (see pan-) + -phobia. Earlier (by 1819) it was noted as an old word for "hydrophobia, rabies." Related: Pantophobe; pantophobic.
pantothenic (adj.)
denoting a B-complex vitamin acid, 1933, from Greek pantothen "from all quarters, on every side," from panto-, combining form of pantos, genitive of pan "all" (see pan-) + -ic. So called because it was found in so many sources.
pantry (n.)
early 14c., panterie, pantre, "a storeroom or closet, especially for bread," from Anglo-French panetrie (late 13c. in surnames; Old French paneterie) "bread room" and directly from Medieval Latin panataria "office or room of a servant who has charge of food" ("bread"), from Latin panis "bread," from PIE root *pa- "to feed." The sense in English soon evolved so that the word's roots in "bread" were no longer felt and it came to be used of any closet for provisions generally or where plates and knives are cleaned.
pantsuit (n.)
"suit of clothing for women, consisting of pants and a matching or coordinating coat or jacket," 1966, contraction of pants suit (1964), from pants + suit (n.).
pantyhose (n.)
"sheer tights or close-fitting legwear covering the body from the waist to the toes," 1963, also pantihose; see panties + hose (n.).
panty-waist (n.)
also pantywaist, "weak or effeminate male," 1936, from a type of child's garment with short pants that buttoned to the waist of a shirt; see panties + waist.
panzer (adj.)
1940, from of German Panzerdivision "armored unit," from Panzer "tank," literally "armor," from Middle High German panzier, from Old French panciere "armor for the belly," from pance "belly, stomach," from Latin pantex (genitive panticis) "belly" (see paunch).
pap (n.3)
"father," also "older man," 1844, American English shortening of papa.
pap (n.1)
"soft food for infants, gruel, porridge," late 14c., from Old French pape "watered gruel" and Medieval Latin papo, both from Latin pappa, a widespread word in children's language for "food" (compare Middle High German and Dutch pap, German Pappe, Spanish, Portuguese papa, Italian pappa), imitative of an infant's noise when hungry; possibly associated with pap (n.2). Meaning "over-simplified idea" first recorded 1540s.
pap (n.2)
"nipple of a woman's breast," late 12c., pappe, first attested in Northern and Midlands writing, probably from a Scandinavian source (not recorded in Old Norse, but compare dialectal Swedish pappe), from PIE imitative root *pap- "to swell" (source also of Latin papilla "nipple," which might rather be the source of the English word, papula "a swelling, pimple;" Lithuanian papas "nipple"). Like pap (n.1) supposed to be ultimately of infantile origin.
papa (n.)
"father," 1680s, from French papa, from Latin papa, originally a reduplicated child's word, similar to Greek pappa (vocative) "o father," pappas "father," pappos "grandfather." The native word is daddy; according to OED the first use of papa was in courtly speech, as a continental affectation, and it was not used by common folk until late 18c.
papacy (n.)
late 14c., papacie, "the office or jurisdiction of a pope," from Medieval Latin papatia "papal office," from Late Latin papa "pope" (see pope). Old English had papdom in this sense. Meaning "the succession or line of popes; the system of ecclesiastical government based upon authority of the Bishop of Rome over the Church" is from 1540s.
papal (adj.)
"of a pope, relating to a pope in his official capacity," late 14c., from Old French papal (late 14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin papalis "pertaining to the pope," from papa (see pope).
paparazzi (n.)
1961, from Italian Paparazzo (plural paparazzi) surname of the freelance photographer in Federico Fellini's 1959 film "La Dolce Vita." The surname itself is of no special significance in the film; it is said to be a common one in Calabria, and Fellini is said to have borrowed it from a travel book, "By the Ionian Sea," in which occurs the name of hotel owner Coriolano Paparazzo.
paparazzo (n.)
see paparazzi.
papaverous (adj.)
"pertaining to or resembling the poppy," 1640s, from Latin papaver "poppy" (see poppy) + -ous.
papaw (n.)
1620s, variant of papaya (q.v.), used from 1760 to designate the papaw tree.
papaya (n.)
1590s of the fruit, 1610s of the tree, from Spanish, probably from Arawakan (West Indies) papaya.
paper (n.)
mid-14c., "material consisting of a compacted web or felting of vegetable fibers, commonly as a thin, flexible sheet for writing, printing, etc.," from Anglo-French paper, Old French papier "paper, document," and directly from Latin papyrus "paper, paper made of papyrus stalks," from Greek papyros "any plant of the paper plant genus," a loan-word of unknown origin, often said to be Egyptian (see papyrus).
Sense of "essay, dissertation on a topic" is from 1660s. Meaning "bills of exchange, paper money" is attested by 1722. As "paper for covering the walls of interiors," 1764. As "printed sheet of news" (a shortened form of newspaper), attested by 1640s. Papers, "collection of documents which establish one's identity, standing, credentials, etc.," it is attested from 1680s.
Paper-clip is by 1875; paper-cutter as a type of machine is by 1969. Paper-hanger is by 1796. Paper-wasp " type of wasp that builds a nest out of paper-like material" is by 1805. Paper chase is by 1856 in British English for the game of hare-and-hounds, from the bits of paper scattered as "scent" by the "hares;" the slang meaning "effort to earn a diploma or college degree" is by 1932.