Fan Word Meaning

Old English fann (as a noun denoting a device for winnowing grain), fannian (verb), from Latin vannus ‘winnowing fan’. Compare with vane

an apparatus with rotating blades that creates a current of air for cooling or ventilation

device with rotating blades

• a couple of ceiling fans, lazily turning
• the kitchen may need to be fitted with an extractor fan

a handheld device, typically folding and shaped like a segment of a circle when spread out, that is waved so as to cool the person holding it

handheld device

• the girls were giggling behind their fans

cool (someone or something) by waving an object to create a current of air

cool by waving something

• he fanned himself with his hat

increase the strength of (a fire) by blowing on it or stirring up the air near it

increase strength of fire

• fanned by an easterly wind, the fire spread rapidly

disperse or radiate from a central point to cover a wide area

disperse or radiate from central point

• the arriving passengers began to fan out through the town in search of lodgings