panel
UK[ˈpænl]US[ˈpænl]
n
A flat, usually rectangular piece that forms a distinct, often separate section of a surface, door, wall, or vehicle.
n
A small group of people chosen to give advice, make a decision, or discuss something in public.
n
A list of people available for jury service, or the jury itself.
n
A board containing the controls for a machine, electrical device, or vehicle.
Morpheme Breakdown
pan
el
pan
cloth
el
diminutive suffix
Etymology
The word 'panel' originates from the Latin 'pannus', meaning a piece of cloth or rag. This term passed into Old French as 'pan', retaining the sense of a piece or section. The diminutive suffix '-el' was added in Old French to form 'panel', literally meaning a small piece of cloth. Over time, the meaning broadened from a small piece of fabric used in saddle-making or as a parchment for a list of jurors, to its modern abstract senses. These include a distinct section of a surface, a list of people (like a jury), and by extension, the group of people selected from such a list.
Analysis
Structure: pan (cloth) + el (diminutive suffix)
- pan: From Old French 'pan' (piece, section), from Latin 'pannus' (piece of cloth, rag). Functions as the core root indicating a piece or section.
- el: A diminutive suffix of Old French origin, indicating a small piece or part.
Examples
The car's instrument panel was lit with various warning lights.
A panel of experts was assembled to review the scientific evidence.
The decorative wooden panels on the wall were beautifully carved.