fanning

noun

1. Historical a device for winnowing grain
2. 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
3. anything in the shape of a fan (), as the tail of a bird
4. 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

1. to move or agitate (air) with or as with a fan
2. to direct a current of air toward or on with or as with a fan; blow on
3. to stir up; excite
4. to blow or drive away with a fan
5. to spread out into the shape of a fan ()
6. to separate (grain) from chaff
7. ☆ 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
8. ☆ Baseball to strike (a batter) out

Origin: ME fannen < OE fannian

intransitive verb