PANNING

To wash in a pan (of earth, sand etc. when searching for gold).

To disparage; to belittle; to put down; to criticise severely.

With "out" (to pan out), to turn out well; to be successful.

Of a camera, etc.: to turn horizontally.

To move the camera lens angle while continuing to expose the film, enabling a contiguous view and enrichment of context. In still-photography large-group portraits the film usually remains on a horizontal fixed plane as the lens and/or the film holder moves to expose the film laterally. The resulting image may extend a short distance laterally or as great as 360 degrees from the point where the film first began to be exposed.

(audio) To spread a sound signal into a new stereo or multichannel sound field, typically giving the impression that it is moving across the sound stage.

To join or fit together; to unite.

The act of one who pans, as for gold.