fan1
n.
- an apparatus with rotating blades that creates a current of air for cooling or ventilation.
- a hand-held device, typically folding and shaped like a segment of a circle when spread out, that is waved so as to cool the user.
- a fan-shaped alluvial or talus deposit at the foot of a slope.
v.
(fans, fanning, fanned)
- cool by waving something to create a current of air.
▸drive away with a waving movement.
▸Baseball & Ice Hockey swing unsuccessfully at the ball or puck.
▸Baseball strike out (a batter).
- (of an air current) increase the strength of (a fire).
▸make (a belief or emotion) stronger.
-
(fan out)
spread out over a wide area.
Derivative
Etymology
OE fann (as a noun denoting a device for winnowing grain), fannian (v.), from L. vannus ‘winnowing fan’.
fan2
n.
a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular activity, performer, etc.
Derivative
Etymology
C19 (orig. US): abbrev. of fanatic.