FAN

noun to move as with a fan.

2. fan ·noun a quintain;

— from its form.

3. fan ·noun something in the form of a fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, ·etc.

4. fan ·noun to ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.

5. fan ·noun to cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan.

6. fan ·noun a small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind.

7. fan ·noun to winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat.

8. fan ·noun an instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface.

9. fan ·noun an instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.

10. fan ·noun to excite or stir up to activity, as a fan axcites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace.

11. fan ·noun that which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, ·etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion.

12. fan ·noun any revolving vane or vanes used for producing currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, ·etc., or for checking rapid motion by the resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel.

13. fan ·noun an instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, silk, ·etc., and often mounted on sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when opened to radiate from the center and assume the figure of a section of a circle.