Dictionary
fan
Pronunciation: (fan), [key]
—n., v., fanned, fan•ning.
—
n.
1. any device for producing a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of such surfaces.
2. an implement of feathers, leaves, paper, cloth, etc., often in the shape of a long triangle or of a semicircle, for waving lightly in the hand to create a cooling current of air about a person:
We sat on the veranda, cooling ourselves with palm-leaf fans.
3. anything resembling such an implement, as the tail of a bird.
4. any of various devices consisting essentially of a series of radiating vanes or blades attached to and revolving with a central hublike portion to produce a current of air:
ceiling fan; wall fan.
5. a series of revolving blades supplying air for winnowing or cleaning grain.
6. Horol.fly
1 (def. 34).
7. a semicircular decoration of bunting.
8. Physical Geog.an alluvial fan.
9. hit the fan, Slang.to become suddenly more awkward, embarrassing, or troublesome:
When news of the incident was leaked to the press, everything hit the fan at once.
—
v.t.
1. to move or agitate (the air) with or as if with a fan.
2. to cause air to blow upon, as from a fan; cool or refresh with or as if with a fan:
He fanned his face with a newspaper.
3. to stir to activity with or as if with a fan:
to fan a flame; to fan emotions.
4. (of a breeze, current of air, etc.) to blow upon, as if driven by a fan:
A cool breeze fanned the shore.
5. to spread out like a fan:
The dealer fanned the cards.
6. Informal.to move (oneself) quickly:
You'll fan your tail out of here if you know what's good for you.
7. Agric.to winnow, esp. by an artificial current of air.
8. Baseball.(of a pitcher) to strike out (a batter).
9. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.to punish by spanking; spank:
Your mother will fan you good if you break that dish.
—
v.i.
1. to strike, swing, or brush lightly at something.
2. Western U.S. (chiefly cowboy use). to slap the flanks of (a horse or other animal) repeatedly with a hat to get it to move or move faster.
3. to spread out like a fan (often fol. by
out):
The forest fire fanned out in all directions.
4. Baseball.(of a batter) to strike out, usually by swinging at and missing the pitch charged as the third strike.
fan
Pronunciation: (fan), [key]—
n.
an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.:
a baseball fan; a great fan of Charlie Chaplin. Fan
Pronunciation: (fan, fän), [key]—
n.,
—pl. Fans, (esp. collectively) Fan.
Fang.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: - fan (Thesaurus)
- fan (Encyclopedia)
