Webster's English Dictionary

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fan

1. fan \'fan\ \-.li-k\ n [ME, fr. OE fann, fr. L vannus - more at WINNOW] 
   1: any of various devices for winnowing grain  2: an instrument for 
   producing a current for air : as  2a: a device for cooling the person usu. 
   shaped like a segment of a circle  and composed of material (as feathers, 
   paper) mounted on thin rods or slats moving about a pivot so that the 
   device may be closed compactly when not in use 2b: a device for producing a 
   current of air that consists of a series of va nes radiating from a hub 
   rotated on its axle by a motor 3: something resembling an open fan  - 
   fan.like aj
2. fan vb or fanned;  or fanning 1a: to drive away the chaff of by means of 
   a current of air  1b: to eliminate by winnowing  2: to move or impel (air) 
   with a fan  3: to blow or breathe upon  4a: to direct a current of air upon 
   with a fan  4b: to stir up to activity as if by fanning : STIMULATE  
   archaic  5: WAVE  slang  7: SPANK to spread like a fan  8: to strike (a 
   batter) out in baseball  9: to fire by squeezing the trigger and striking 
   the hammer to the rear wi th the free hand 1: to move like a fan  2: to 
   spread like a fan  of a baseball batter  3: to strike out 
3. fan n [prob. short for fanatic] 1: an enthusiastic devotee (as of a 
   sport) usu. as a spectator  2: an ardent admirer (as of a celebrity)