FAN


Meaning of FAN in English

fan 1

— fanlike , adj. — fanner , n.

/fan/ , n. , v. , fanned, fanning .

n.

1. any device for producing a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of such surfaces.

2. an implement of feathers, leaves, paper, cloth, etc., often in the shape of a long triangle or of a semicircle, for waving lightly in the hand to create a cooling current of air about a person: We sat on the veranda, cooling ourselves with palm-leaf fans.

3. anything resembling such an implement, as the tail of a bird.

4. any of various devices consisting essentially of a series of radiating vanes or blades attached to and revolving with a central hublike portion to produce a current of air: ceiling fan; wall fan.

5. a series of revolving blades supplying air for winnowing or cleaning grain.

6. Horol. fly 1 (def. 34).

7. a semicircular decoration of bunting.

8. Physical Geog. an alluvial fan.

9. hit the fan , Slang. to become suddenly more awkward, embarrassing, or troublesome: When news of the incident was leaked to the press, everything hit the fan at once.

v.t.

10. to move or agitate (the air) with or as if with a fan.

11. to cause air to blow upon, as from a fan; cool or refresh with or as if with a fan: He fanned his face with a newspaper.

12. to stir to activity with or as if with a fan: to fan a flame; to fan emotions.

13. (of a breeze, current of air, etc.) to blow upon, as if driven by a fan: A cool breeze fanned the shore.

14. to spread out like a fan: The dealer fanned the cards.

15. Informal. to move (oneself) quickly: You'll fan your tail out of here if you know what's good for you.

16. Agric. to winnow, esp. by an artificial current of air.

17. Baseball. (of a pitcher) to strike out (a batter).

18. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to punish by spanking; spank: Your mother will fan you good if you break that dish.

v.i.

19. to strike, swing, or brush lightly at something.

20. Western U.S. ( chiefly cowboy use ). to slap the flanks of (a horse or other animal) repeatedly with a hat to get it to move or move faster.

21. to spread out like a fan (often fol. by out ): The forest fire fanned out in all directions.

22. Baseball. (of a batter) to strike out, usually by swinging at and missing the pitch charged as the third strike.

[ bef. 900; ME, OE fann vannus winnowing basket ]

fan 2

/fan/ , n.

an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.: a baseball fan; a great fan of Charlie Chaplin.

[ 1885-90, Amer.; short for FANATIC ]

Syn . supporter, enthusiast, partisan, booster, addict.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .