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fan

/fæn/
Dictionary

noun

  • A hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself.
  • An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.
  • The action of fanning; agitation of the air.
  • Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.
  • An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
  • A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock mill always in the direction of the wind.
  • A section of a tree having a finite number of branches

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."

  • To slap (a behind, especially).
  • (usually to fan out) To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.
  • To dispel by waving a hand-held fan.

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

  • To perform a maneuver that involves flicking the top rear of an old-style gun.
  • (metaphoric) To invigorate, like flames when fanned.
  • To winnow grain.

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