fan

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fann, from Latin vannus — more at winnow Date: before 12th century 1. any of various devices for winnowing grain 2. an instrument for producing a current of air: as a. a device that is held in the hand and moved back and forth to cool a person and that is usually shaped like a segment of a circle and composed of material (as feathers or paper) mounted on thin rods or slats moving about a pivot so that the device may be closed compactly when not in use b. a device that consists of a series of vanes radiating from a hub rotated on its axle by a motor c. slang an airplane propeller 3. a. something resembling an open fan b. a gently sloping fan-shaped body of detritus; especially alluvial fan • fanlike adjective II. verb (fanned; fanning) Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to drive away the chaff of (grain) by means of a current of air b. to eliminate (as chaff) by winnowing 2. to move or impel (air) with a fan 3. to blow or breathe upon <

the breeze fanning her hair

> 4. a. to direct a current of air upon with a fan b. to stir up to activity as if by fanning ; stimulate <

fanning the fires of nationalism

> 5. archaic wave 6. slang spank 7. to spread like a fan <

the peacock fanned his tail

> 8. to strike (a batter) out in baseball 9. to fire a series of shots from (a single-action revolver) by holding the trigger back and successively striking the hammer to the rear with the free hand intransitive verb 1. to move like a fan ; flutter 2. to spread like a fan — often used with out <

the searchers fanned out

> 3. strike out 3 • fanner noun III. noun Etymology: probably short for fanatic Date: 1682 1. an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator 2. an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit) <

science-fiction fans

>