Fan
[fæn]
Definition
(noun.) a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces.
(noun.) an ardent follower and admirer.
(verb.) make (an emotion) fiercer; 'fan hatred'.
(verb.) strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher).
(verb.) agitate the air.
Typist: Robinson--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) An instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface
(n.) An instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, silk, etc., and often mounted on sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when opened to radiate from the center and assume the figure of a section of a circle.
(n.) Any revolving vane or vanes used for producing currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, etc., or for checking rapid motion by the resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel.
(n.) An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
(n.) Something in the form of a fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, etc.
(n.) A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind.
(n.) That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion.
(n.) A quintain; -- from its form.
(n.) To move as with a fan.
(n.) To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan.
(n.) To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.
(n.) To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat.
(n.) To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan axcites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace.
Checked by Edmond
Definition
n. an instrument for winnowing grain: a broad flat instrument used by ladies to cool themselves: a wing: a small sail to keep a windmill to the wind: the agitation of the air caused by a fan.—v.t. to cool with a fan: to winnow: to ventilate: to remove by waving a fan:—pr.p. fan′ning; pa.p. fanned.—ns. Fan′-blast in ironworks the blast produced by a fan as distinguished from that produced by a blowing-engine; Fan′-crick′et the mole-cricket fen-cricket or churr-worm.—adj. Fan′-nerved in entomology having a fan-like arrangement of the nervures or veins of the wings.—ns. Fan′light a window resembling in form an open fan; Fan′ner a machine with revolving fans used for winnowing grain &c.; Fan′-palm a species of palm 60 or 70 feet high with fan-shaped leaves used for umbrellas tents &c.; Fan′-tail an artificial fan-tailed variety of the domestic pigeon; Fan′-trāc′ery (archit.) tracery rising from a capital or a corbel and diverging like the folds of a fan over the surface of a vault; Fan′-wheel a wheel with fans on its rim for producing a current of air.
Checked by Ives
Unserious Contents or Definition
To see a fan in your dreams, denotes pleasant news and surprises are awaiting you in the near future. For a young woman to dream of fanning herself, or that some one is fanning her, gives promise of a new and pleasing acquaintances; if she loses an old fan, she will find that a warm friend is becoming interested in other women.
Edited by Debra
Examples
- All unfortunate men of my size suffer from the heat, said the Count, refreshing himself gravely with a large green fan. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- My new fan just matches my flowers, my gloves fit to a charm, and the real lace on Aunt's mouchoir gives an air to my whole dress. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- But all mines must be ventilated by forcing air through them with a fan, and this air must be in sufficient quantity to keep the percentage of gas below a dangerous standard. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- To whom entered Mrs Gowan, with her favourite green fan, which softened the light on the spots of bloom. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- My dear sir,' returned Mrs. Markleham, shaking her head and her fan, 'you little know my poor Jack Maldon when you ask that question. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The same energy turns the electric fan, and with kindly service soothes the weary sufferer, and at another place remorselessly takes the life of the condemned criminal. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- I observed this also, and contrived a fan of branches, which roused the embers when they were nearly extinguished. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- The motors which drive our electric fans, our mills, and our trolley cars owe their existence entirely to the magnetic action of current electricity. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The use of many of these domestic machines is familiar to all: vacuum cleaners, washing machines, fans, and the more usual electric cooking devices. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Electric power was introduced, timidly, by way of a few fans in 1884 and following this, in 1888, motor drive for printing presses was undertaken. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Meanwhile he looks at Mr. Smallweed with grave attention and now and then fans the cloud of smoke away in order that he may see him the more clearly. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I uncovered it, and a gentle breeze quickly fanned it into a flame. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- She thought, I suppose, that I was one of those poor sickly women who like to lie on rose leaves, and be fanned all day. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- The other three came behind him, fanned out through the timber. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- He fanned away the smoke of his pipe, that he might get a better view of me, and soon recognized me with great delight. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- You look like Balzac's '_Femme Peinte Par Elle-Meme_', he said, as he fanned her with one hand and held her coffee cup in the other. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- She was hot; she fanned herself; complained of want of air and space. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Sir Percival was yawning in an easy-chair, the Count was reading, Madame Fosco was fanning herself. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- My mother sat by the open window laughing and fanning herself. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I found her placidly fanning herself in her dressing-gown at eleven o'clock. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- If the cleaning of the grain and separating it from the chaff and dirt are not had in the threshing process, separate machines are employed for fanning and screening. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- My aunt sat at the window; placidly fanning herself as usual. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- They were in the cave and the men were standing before the fire Maria was fanning. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Clennam had abundant occupation for his thoughts, as he sat in the quiet room watching the father on his bed, and the daughter fanning his face. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
Typist: Melville