fan 1
(făn)n.1. A device for creating a current of air or a breeze, especially:
a. A machine using an electric motor to rotate thin, rigid vanes in order to move air, as for cooling.
b. A collapsible, usually wedge-shaped device made of a light material such as silk, paper, or plastic.
2. An implement or machine for winnowing.
3. Something resembling an open fan in shape: a peacock's fan.
v. fanned, fan·ning, fans
v.tr.1. To move or cause a current of (air) with or as if with a fan.
2. To direct a current of air or a breeze upon, especially in order to cool: fan one's face.
3. To stir (something) up by or as if by fanning: fanned the flames in the fireplace; a troublemaker who fanned resentment among the staff.
4. To open (something) out into the shape of a fan: The bird fanned its colorful tail.
5. a. To fire (an automatic gun) in a continuous sweep by keeping one's finger on the trigger.
b. To fire (a nonautomatic gun) rapidly by chopping the hammer with the palm.
6. To winnow.
7. Baseball To strike out (a batter).
v.intr.1. To spread out like a fan: The troops fanned out from the beachhead.
2. Baseball To strike out.
fan 2
(făn)n. An ardent devotee; an enthusiast.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fan
(fæn) n1. (Mechanical Engineering)
a. any device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or number of surfaces, esp a rotating device consisting of a number of blades attached to a central hub
b. a machine that rotates such a device
2. any of various hand-agitated devices for cooling oneself, esp a collapsible semicircular series of flat segments of paper, ivory, etc
3. something shaped like such a fan, such as the tail of certain birds
4. (Agriculture)
agriculture a. a kind of basket formerly used for winnowing grain
b. a machine equipped with a fan for winnowing or cleaning grain
vb (
mainly tr) ,
fans,
fanning or fanned5. to cause a current of air, esp cool air, to blow upon, as by means of a fan: to fan one's face.
6. to agitate or move (air, smoke, etc) with or as if with a fan
7. to make fiercer, more ardent, etc: fan one's passion.
8. (often foll by: out) to spread out or cause to spread out in the shape of a fan
9. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery)
a. to fire (an automatic gun) continuously by keeping the trigger depressed
b. to fire (a nonautomatic gun) several times by repeatedly chopping back the hammer with the palm
10. (Agriculture) to winnow (grain) by blowing the chaff away from it
[Old English fann, from Latin vannus]
ˈfanlike adj
ˈfanner n
fan
(fæn) n1. an ardent admirer of a pop star, film actor, football team, etc
2. a devotee of a sport, hobby, etc
[C17, re-formed C19: from fan(atic)]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
fan1
(fæn)
n., v. fanned, fan•ning. n. 1. a device for producing a current of air by the movement of one or more broad surfaces.
2. an implement of feathers, leaves, paper, etc., often in the shape of a triangle or a semicircle, for waving lightly in the hand to create a cooling current of air about the body.
3. anything resembling such an implement, as the tail of a bird.
4. any of various electrical or mechanical devices consisting of vanes radiating from a central hub that revolves, producing a current of air.
5. a series of revolving blades supplying air for winnowing or cleaning grain.
v.t. 6. to move or agitate (the air) with or as if with a fan.
7. to cause air to blow upon, as from a fan; cool or refresh with or as if with a fan.
8. to stir to activity; incite: to fan emotions.
9. to blow upon: A cool breeze fanned the shore.
10. to spread out like a fan.
11. (of a baseball pitcher) to strike out (a batter).
v.i. 12. to strike, swing, or brush lightly at something.
13. to spread out like a fan: The forest fire fanned out in all directions.
14. (of a baseball batter) to strike out.
[before 900; Middle English, Old English fann < Latin vannus winnowing basket]
fan′like`, adj.
fan′ner, n.
fan2
(fæn)
n. an enthusiastic devotee or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.; enthusiast.
[1885–90,
Amer.; short for
fanatic]
Fan
(fæn, fɑn)
n., pl. Fans, (esp. collectively) Fan. Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.