Before foods are deep-fried or pan-fried, they are normally smothered in a dry or wet coating.  Dry coatings are often referred to as "breadings" since they frequently, but certainly not always, include the use of bread crumbs.  Wet coatings are called batters.  Breadings can be used when deep-frying or pan-frying.  Batters are exclusive to deep-frying.  Deep-frying involves completely submerging