n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: fanned ; fan · ning
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
1 : to move like a fan : FLUTTER
2 : to spread like a fan ― often used with out <the searchers fanned out>
3 : STRIKE OUT 3
– fan · ner \ ' fa-n ə r \ noun