n.
Pronunciation: ' v ā n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English (southern dialect), from Old English fana banner; akin to Old High German fano cloth, Latin pannus cloth, rag
Date: 14th century
1 a : a movable device attached to an elevated object (as a spire) for showing the direction of the wind b : one that is changeable or inconstant
2 : a thin flat or curved object that is rotated about an axis by a flow of fluid or that rotates to cause a fluid to flow or that redirects a flow of fluid <the vane s of a windmill>
3 : the web or flat expanded part of a feather ― see FEATHER illustration
4 : a feather fastened to the shaft near the nock of an arrow
– vaned \ ' v ā nd \ adjective