Definitions
1.nounA hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself.
2.nounAn electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.
3.nounThe action of fanning; agitation of the air.
4.nounAnything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.
5.nounAn instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
6.nounA small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock mill always in the direction of the wind.
7.nounA section of a tree having a finite number of branches
8.verbTo blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise."We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind."
9.verbTo slap (a behind, especially).
10.verb(usually to fan out) To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.
11.verbTo dispel by waving a hand-held fan."I attempted to fan the disagreeable odour out of the room."
12.verbTo perform a maneuver that involves flicking the top rear of an old-style gun.
13.verb(metaphoric) To invigorate, like flames when fanned.
14.verbTo winnow grain.