Definitions for FANfæn, fɑn
This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word FAN
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
fanfæn(n.; v.)fanned, fan•ning.
(n.)a device for producing a current of air by the movement of one or more broad surfaces.
an implement of feathers, leaves, paper, etc., often in the shape of a triangle or a semicircle, for waving lightly in the hand to create a cooling current of air about the body.
anything resembling such an implement, as the tail of a bird.
any of various electrical or mechanical devices consisting of vanes radiating from a central hub that revolves, producing a current of air.
a series of revolving blades supplying air for winnowing or cleaning grain.
(v.t.)to move or agitate (the air) with or as if with a fan.
to cause air to blow upon, as from a fan; cool or refresh with or as if with a fan.
to stir to activity; incite:
to fan emotions.
to blow upon:
A cool breeze fanned the shore.
to spread out like a fan.
(of a baseball pitcher) to strike out (a batter).
(v.i.)to strike, swing, or brush lightly at something.
to spread out like a fan:
The forest fire fanned out in all directions.
(of a baseball batter) to strike out.
Origin of fan:
bef. 900; ME, OE fann < L vannus winnowing basket
an enthusiastic devotee or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.; enthusiast.
Origin of fan:
1885–90, Amer.; short for fanatic
Fanfæn, fɑn(n.)(pl.)Fans; Fan.
Ref: Fang. 2
a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
sports fan, fan, rooter(noun)
an enthusiastic devotee of sports
fan, buff, devotee, lover(verb)
an ardent follower and admirer
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
make (an emotion) fiercer
agitate the air
separate the chaff from by using air currents
"She stood there winnowing chaff all day in the field"
Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary
sb who likes and supports a team, famous person etc.
I'm a Red Sox fan.; The singer met some of her fans.
a machine that cools air by moving it
a ceiling fan
an object you wave to make yourself cool
***a Japanese fan
I'm a big fan of chocolate.
to wave sth at sb to make them cool
A diminutive of Frances.
an instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface
an instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, silk, etc., and often mounted on sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when opened to radiate from the center and assume the figure of a section of a circle
any revolving vane or vanes used for producing currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, etc., or for checking rapid motion by the resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel
an instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away
something in the form of a fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, etc
a small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind
that which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion
a quintain; -- from its form
to move as with a fan
to cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan
to ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion
to winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat
to excite or stir up to activity, as a fan axcites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace
A fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person who is enthusiastically devoted to something, such as a band, a sports team or entertainer. Collectively, fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom. They may show their enthusiasm by being members of a fan club, holding fan conventions, creating fanzines, writing fan mail, or by promoting the object of their interest and attention.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia
a light hand implement used to cause a draught of cool air to play upon the face; there are two kinds, the folding and non-folding; the latter, sometimes large and fixed on a pole, were known to the ancients, the former were invented by the Japanese in the 7th century, and became popular in Italy and Spain in the 16th century; but Paris soon took a lead in their manufacture, carrying them to their highest pitch of artistic perfection in the reign of Louis XIV.
The New Hacker's Dictionary
Without qualification, indicates a fan of science fiction, especially one who goes to cons and tends to hang out with other fans. Many hackers are fans, so this term has been imported from fannish slang; however, unlike much fannish slang it is recognized by most non-fannish hackers. Among SF fans the plural is correctly fen, but this usage is not automatic to hackers. “Laura reads the stuff occasionally but isn't really a fan.”
British National Corpus
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'FAN' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4724
Rank popularity for the word 'FAN' in Nouns Frequency: #952
Translations for FAN
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary
a flat instrument held in the hand and waved to direct a current of air across the face in hot weather
Ladies used to carry fans to keep themselves cool.
- lequePortuguese (BR)
- der FächerGerman
- चाहने वालाHindi
- 扇子Chinese (Trad.)
- دستی پنکھاUrdu
- cái quạtVietnamese
- 扇子Chinese (Simp.)
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