Wan definition
Sickly pale; pallid.
A wan complexion.
adjective
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Short for wide area network. A communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN. The Internet is a WAN.
The definition of wan is a very tired, sickly or pale appearance.
An example of wan is a person with a cold who looks tired and sick.
An example of wan is the light from the sun at the end of the day just before sunset.
adjective
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(Wide Area Network) A long-distance communications network that covers a wide geographic area, such as a state or country. The telephone companies and cellular carriers deploy WANs to service large regional areas or the entire nation. Large enterprises have their own private WANs to link remote offices, or they use the Internet for connectivity. Of course, the Internet is the world's largest WAN.WANs, LANs and MANsA LAN (local area network) is contained within a building or complex. A MAN (metropolitan area network) generally covers a city or suburb. Following is a bandwidth comparison between major LAN and WAN technologies. See LAN, MAN and personal area network.
Unnaturally pale, as from physical or emotional distress.
adjective
To become pale.
verb
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A communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN.
noun
Faint or weak in a way suggestive of sickness or great weariness, sadness, etc.
A wan smile.
adjective
Pale, dim, faint, etc.
A wan light.
adjective
(now rare) To make or become sickly pale.
verb
Suggestive or indicative of weariness, illness, or unhappiness; melancholy.
A wan expression.
adjective
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
wan
Plural:
wansAdjective
Base Form:
wan
Comparative:
wanner
Superlative:
wannestOrigin of wan
- Middle English pale, gloomy from Old English wann gloomy, dark
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- w(ide) a(rea) n(etwork)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English wan-, from Old English wan- (prefix expressing privation or negation), from Proto-Germanic *wanaz (“lacking, missing, deficient”), from Proto-Indo-European *(e)wAn-, *wān- (“empty”). Cognate with Dutch wan-, German Wahn-, Danish, Swedish and Icelandic van-, Gothic (wans, “lacking, deficient”). More at want.
From Wiktionary
- From Middle English, from Old English Æ¿ann (“dark, dusky"), from Proto-Germanic *wannaz (“dark, swart"), of uncertain origin. Cognate with Old Frisian wann, wonn (“dark").
From Wiktionary
- Inflected forms.
From Wiktionary