[fan] n [ME, fr. OE fann, fr. L vannus--more at winnow] (bef. 12c) 1: any of various devices for winnowing grain
2: an instrument for producing a current of air: as a: a device for cooling the person that is usu. shaped like a segment of a circle and is composed of material (as feathers or paper) mounted on thin rods or slats moving about a pivot so that the device may be closed compactly when not in use b: a device that consists of a series of vanes radiating from a hub rotated on its axle by a motor c slang: an airplane propeller 3 a: something resembling an open fan b: a gently sloping fan-shaped body of detritus; esp: alluvial fan -- fan.like adj
[2]fan vb fanned ; fan.ning vt (bef. 12c) 1 a: to drive away the chaff of (grain) by means of a current of air b: to eliminate (as chaff) by winnowing
2: to move or impel (air) with a fan
3: to blow or breathe upon "the breeze fanning her hair"
4. a: to direct a current of air upon with a fan b: to stir up to activity as if by fanning: stimulate "fanning the fires of nationalism"
5. archaic: wave
6. slang: spank 7: to spread like a fan "the peacock fanned his tail" 8: to strike (a batter) out in baseball 9: to fire a series of shots from (a single-action revolver) by holding the trigger back and successively striking the hammer to the rear with the free hand ~ vi 1: to move like a fan: flutter
2: to spread like a fan--often used with out "deputies fanning out on the hunt"
3: strike out 3 -- fan.ner n [3]fan n [prob. short for fanatic] (1682) 1: an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usu. as a spectator
2: an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit) "science-fiction ~s"