Etymology Inherited from Middle English fan, inherited from Old English fann (“a winnowing, fan”), derived from Latin vannus (“fan for winnowing grain”), derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₂weh₁- (“to blow”). Cognates * Latin ventus (“wind”) * Dutch wan (“winnowing basket”) * German Wanne (“winnowing basket”) * Swedish vanna (“a fan for winnowing”) * Old English windwian (“to fan, winnow”). More at winnow.
A hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself.
How apt is the flutter of the fan to express the different affections of the belle: there is the angry flutter, the modest flutter, the timorous flutter, the confused flutter etc.1876, August Paul, Addison's Influence on the Social Reform of His Age, T.G. Meissner, page 55:
2
An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.
He didn't switch on the fan because the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius.
3
The action of fanning; agitation of the air.
"If I cannot be of service, then I certainly don't wish to impose," said McGinty, with a quick fan of breeze that indicated a sweeping bow.1998, Brock Thoene, Bodie Thoene, A New Frontier: Saga of the Sierras, page 181:
4
Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.
5
An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
The oxen likewise and the yong asses that eare the ground, shall eate cleane prouender which hath bene winnowed with the shouell and with the fanne.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 30:24:
Whose fanne is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floore, and gather his wheat into the garner: but wil burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 3:12:
6
A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock mill always in the direction of the wind.
7
Card games, Games A group of overlapping cards exposed in various patience games.
8
Mathematics, Sciences A section of a tree having a finite number of branches.
Etymology Inherited from Middle English fan, inherited from Old English fann (“a winnowing, fan”), derived from Latin vannus (“fan for winnowing grain”), derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₂weh₁- (“to blow”). Cognates * Latin ventus (“wind”) * Dutch wan (“winnowing basket”) * German Wanne (“winnowing basket”) * Swedish vanna (“a fan for winnowing”) * Old English windwian (“to fan, winnow”). More at winnow.
To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise.
We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind.
Alice took up the fan and gloves, and, as the hall was very hot, she kept fanning herself all the time she went on talking: […]1865 November (indicated as 1866), Lewis Carroll [pseudonym; Charles Lutwidge Dodgson], “The Pool of Tears”, in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, London: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, page 19:
2
To slap (a behind, especially).
Part of it was that as much as I respected filial devotion and as much as I liked Sarah Barstow, it would have been a real satisfaction to put her across my knees and pull up her skirts and giver^([sic]) her a swell fanning, for not taking a look at that driver.1934, Rex Stout, Fer-de-Lance, Bantam, published 1992, →ISBN, page 148:
3
To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.
Usually to fan out
4
To dispel by waving a hand-held fan.
I attempted to fan the disagreeable odour out of the room.
To fan a single action revolver, hold down the trigger and strike the hammer repeatedly with a free hand.2011, Hans-Christoan Vortisch, GURPS Tactical Shooting, page 14:
6
Figuratively To invigorate, like flames when fanned.
She comes, to fan my ardour, She kills me with her kisses.1923, Arthur Symons, Love's Cruelty, page 43:
7
To winnow grain.
By the first article, these fanning mills were appointed to be sent to the proprietors of the mills of Sault-à-la puce, Petit-Pré, Beauport, Pointe de Lévy, St. Nicolas and Ste. Famille in the isle of Orleans " to have all the wheat in general of whatever quality sent to these mills passed and fanned, before converting them into flour."1856, François Réal Angers Lelièvre, Lower Canada reports:
Etymology Clipping of fanatic, originally in US baseball slang. Possibly influenced by fancy (“group of sport or hobby enthusiasts”), i.e. fancy boy (“fan”).
1
A person who is fond of something or someone, especially an admirer of a performer or aficionado of a sport.
for names of different fans, members of fan subcultures
fan
noun
Etymology From Cantonese 分. Doublet of fen and hoon.
1
Hong Kong, Dated A unit of length, equivalent to 0.1 tsun (0.01 chek), or 0.00371475 metres.
1 chek (foot) = 14⅝ English inches divided into 10 tsün (inches) and each tsün into ten fan or tenths.1939, chapter XI, in Colonial Reports - Annual Issues, page 37: