Panzer

Panzer /ˈpænzər/ (German pronunciation: [ˈpantsɐ]) is a German word that means armour. It is also used by the Germans as abbreviation meaning "armored fighting vehicle" or tank (the military vehicle). The full German word for "armoured combat vehicle" is Panzerkampfwagen. The word Panzer is occasionally used in English and some other languages as a loanword in the contexts of German military.

Use

It is mostly used in the proper names of military formations (Panzerdivision, ‘panzer division’, 4th Panzer Army, etc.), and in the proper names of tanks, such as Panzer IV, etc.

Origin

The dated but official German term is Panzerkampfwagen, ‘tank’ or literally ‘armoured combat vehicle’ (the modern commonly used synonym is Kampfpanzer, or just Panzer). The first German tank, the A7V of 1918, was referred to as Sturmpanzerwagen (roughly, "armoured assault vehicle").

The German word Panzer refers to any kind of armour, as in Plattenpanzer, ‘plate armour’, Kettenpanzer, ‘mail’, or generally gepanzert, ‘armoured’. The word also refers to an animal's protective shell or thick hide, as in Schildkrötenpanzer, ‘turtle shell'. Steel electrical conduit is called Stahlpanzerrohr, literally "steel armour pipe". Bulletproof glass is called Panzerglas, literally "armoured glass". It derives through the French word pancier, ‘breastplate’, from Latin pantex, ‘belly, paunch’, and is possibly related to panus, ‘swelling’.

Panzer (band)

Panzer is a Chilean heavy metal band created in 1987.

History

Panzer debuted in 1987 after its contributions to the compilation Infierno Rock. In 1988, the band was elected by peers and journalists as the best Chilean rock group, a title it held for two consecutive years. This coincided with the release of their first album Metal Land in 1988, followed by its 1989 Latin American re-release in an attempt to establish the band in other Spanish-speaking markets.

In 1989, Panzer appeared in Latinos y Metálicos, a compilation of heavy metal from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Spain. The official launch for the album was at the Stadium of Buenos Aires Waterworks.

Lyrics reflecting widespread youth issues and the band's classic cut of heavy metal became the trademark of Panzer. In October 1994, the album Crol Vivo o Muerto was released. After returning from Argentina, where the band aimed to promote sales, Panzer opened for the American metal band Megadeth at Victor Jara Stadium.

In January 1995, the group went on a national tour of Chile, its destinations including Arica and Punta Arenas. The tour ended in November with its final show in Quinta Vergara in Viña del Mar. In December 1995, Panzer was awarded the "Tribute to national rock" by the Ministerial Secretariat of Education for the band's "influence on the development and evolution of rock in Chile".

Panzer (surname)

The surname Panzer may refer to: