fan

The definition of a fan is a person who is very enthusiastic about someone or something, or a device that moves and cools the air.

(noun)

An example of a fan is a person who only wears gold and red in support of the San Francisco 49ers.
An example of a fan is an electrical device with moving blades that cools air.

Fan is defined as to move air around, stir up, or spread out with the widest parts at the top and a thin base at the bottom.

(verb)

An example of fan is waving a piece of paper in front of your face on a hot day; fan your face.
An example of fan is waving a piece of paper in front of a small fire in your fireplace; fan the flames.
An example of fan is spreading out a deck of cards and holding them out to someone so they can pick one; fan out the deck.

See fan in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Historical a device for winnowing grain
any device or machine used to set up a current of air for ventilating or cooling; specif.,
1. any flat surface moved by hand
2. a folding device made of paper, cloth, etc. which when opened has the shape of a sector of a circle
3. a device consisting of one or more revolving blades or vanes attached to a rotary hub and operated by a motor
anything in the shape of a fan (), as the tail of a bird
in a windmill, a small vane that keeps the large vanes, or sails, at right angles to the wind

Origin: ME fanne < OE fann < L vannus, basket for winnowing grain < IE base *wē-, to blow, flutter > wind, winnow

transitive verb fanned, fanning

to move or agitate (air) with or as with a fan
to direct a current of air toward or on with or as with a fan; blow on
to stir up; excite
to blow or drive away with a fan
to spread out into the shape of a fan ()
to separate (grain) from chaff
☆ Slang
1. to spank
2. to fire (a pistol) several times quickly in succession by slapping the hammer back as with the alternate hand between shots
☆ Baseball to strike (a batter) out

Origin: ME fannen < OE fannian

intransitive verb

☆ Baseball to strike out

☆

noun

a person enthusiastic about a specified sport, pastime, or performer; devotee: a baseball fan, movie fan

Origin: contr. < fanatic

See fan in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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.
A machine for winnowing.
Something resembling an open fan in shape: a peacock's fan.

verb fanned fanned, fan·ning, fans

verb, transitive

To move or cause a current of (air) with or as if with a fan.
To direct a current of air or a breeze upon, especially in order to cool: fan one's face.
To stir (something) up by or as if by fanning: fanned the flames in the fireplace; a troublemaker who fanned resentment among the staff.
To open (something) out into the shape of a fan: The bird fanned its colorful tail.
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.
To winnow.
Baseball To strike out (a batter).