fan

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   make (an emotion) fiercer

   fan hatred

2. 2
   noun

   An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.

   He didn't switch on the fan because the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius.

3. 3
   noun

   The action of fanning; agitation of the air.

   "If I cannot be of service, then I certainly don't wish to impose," said McGinty, with a quick fan of breeze that indicated a sweeping bow.

4. 4
   noun

   An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.

   The oxen likewise and the yong asses that eare the ground, shall eate cleane prouender which hath bene winnowed with the shouell and with the fanne.

5. 5
   verb

   To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise.

   We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind.

6. 6
   verb

   To slap (a behind, especially).

   Part of it was that as much as I respected filial devotion and as much as I liked Sarah Barstow, it would have been a real satisfaction to put her across my knees and pull up her skirts and giver^([sic]) her a swell fanning, for not taking a look at that driver.

7. 7
   verb

   To dispel by waving a hand-held fan.

   I attempted to fan the disagreeable odour out of the room.

8. 8
   verb

   To perform a maneuver that involves flicking the top rear of an old-style gun.

   To fan a single action revolver, hold down the trigger and strike the hammer repeatedly with a free hand.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁s Proto-Italic *faznom Latin fānum Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus Latin -āticus Latin fānāticuslbor. ▲ French fanatiqueinflu. English fanatic English fancyinflu. English fan Clipping of fanatic, originally in US baseball slang. Possibly influenced by fancy (“group of sport or hobby enthusiasts”), i.e. fancy boy (“fan”).