noun
- Historical a device for winnowing grain
- any device or machine used to set up a current of air for ventilating or cooling; specif.,
- any flat surface moved by hand
- a folding device made of paper, cloth, etc. which when opened has the shape of a sector of a circle
- 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
- to spank
- 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