General Definition: 1. The action of holding on to something like a stick or a long handle and moving it back and forth repeatedly in front of you, such as poking a fire and, especially, holding and agitating a pan over a fire or stove. As a Noun: 1. A deep metal cooking pot, usually with a long handle and a lid. English = saucepan. 2. A flat shallow metal pan with a long handle in which you fry food. English = frying pan. As a Verb or Adjective: 1. To cook something in a container on a fire or stove. 2. To cook something in fat or oil in a frying pan. English = fry.