1796, "a painting on a revolving cylindrical surface," coined c.1789 by inventor, Irish artist Robert Barker, literally "a complete view," from pan- "all" + Greek horama "sight, spectacle, that which is seen," from horan "to look, see," possibly from PIE root *wer- (4) "to perceive" (see ward, n.). Meaning "comprehensive survey" is 1801.