panorama

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A wide, unbroken view of a large area.

   From the hilltop we enjoyed a stunning panorama of the valley below.

2. 2
   noun

   A broad survey or overview of a subject or set of events.

   The book offers a sweeping panorama of twentieth-century history.

Simplified etymology

Panorama was coined by the painter Robert Barker in 1788 for a method of presenting a large painting of a landscape or other scene. He formed the word from Greek pan, “all,” and horama, “view.” By the early 1800s it also meant an unbroken surrounding view or a comprehensive survey or presentation, and the cinematic term pan, recorded from the early 20th century, is a shortening of panorama.

From pan- (“all”) + Ancient Greek ὅρᾱμᾰ (hórāmă, “view”). Coined by Robert Barker (painter) in 1792.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary