Fan v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fanned p. pr. & vb. n. Fanning ]
1. To move as with a fan.
The air . . . fanned with unnumbered plumes. --Milton.
2. To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan.
3. To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.
Calm as the breath which fans our eastern groves. --Dryden.
4. To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat.
5. To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan excites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace.
Fanning machine, or Fanning mill, a machine for separating seed from chaff, etc., by a blast of air; a fanner.
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fan
n 1: a device for creating a current of air by movement of a
surface or surfaces
2: an enthusiastic devotee of sports [syn: sports fan]
3: an ardent follower and admirer [syn: buff, devotee, lover]
v 1: strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
2: make (an emotion) fiercer; "fan hatred"
3: agitate the air
4: separate from chaff; "She stood there winnowing grain all
day in the field" [syn: winnow]
[also: fanning, fanned]
fanned
adj : especially spread in a fan shape; "the peacock's fanned
tail"; "the spread-out cards" [syn: spread-out(a)]