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panel

1. A sunken compartment with raised margins, molded or otherwise, as in ceilings, wainscotings, etc.

2. A prisoner arraigned for trial at the bar of a criminal court.

3. Formerly, a piece of cloth serving as a saddle; hence, a soft pad beneath a saddletree to prevent chafing.

4. A board having its edges inserted in the groove of a surrounding frame; as, the panel of a door.

5. One of the faces of a hewn stone.

6. A slab or plank of wood upon which, instead of canvas, a picture is painted.

7. (Science: chemical) A heap of dressed ore. One of the districts divided by pillars of extra size, into which a mine is laid off in one system of extracting coal.

8. A plain strip or band, as of velvet or plush, placed at intervals lengthwise on the skirt of a dress, for ornament.

9. A portion of a framed structure between adjacent posts or struts, as in a bridge truss. Panel game, a method of stealing money in a panel house. Panel house, a house of prostitution in which the rooms have secret entrances to facilitate theft by accomplices of the inmates. Panel saw, handsaw with fine teeth, used for cutting out panels, etc. Panel thief, one who robs in a panel house.

Origin: Orig, a little piece; OF. Panel, pannel, F. Panneau, dim. Of pan skirt, lappet, part or piece of a wall, side. See Pane.