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.

2. (Manuf.) A closed vessel for boiling or evaporating. See Vacuum pan, under Vacuum.

3. The part of a flintlock which holds the priming.

4. The skull, considered as a vessel containing the brain; the upper part of the head; the brainpan; the cranium. --Chaucer.

5. (C?rp.) A recess, or bed, for the leaf of a hinge.

6. The hard stratum of earth that lies below the soil. See Hard pan, under Hard.

7. A natural basin, containing salt or fresh water, or mud.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Flash \Flash\, n.; pl. Flashes.

1. A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning.

2. A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.

The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind. --Shak.

No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy. --Wirt.

3. The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period.

The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash. --Bacon.

4. A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictious strength to liquors.

Flash light, or Flashing light, a kind of light shown by lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors, so as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating with periods of dimness. --Knight.

Flash in the pan, the flashing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence, sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)