fans

Noun

fan (plural fans)

1. A 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.
   • How apt is the flutter of the fan to express the different affections of the belle: there is the angry flutter, the modest flutter, the timorous flutter, the confused flutter etc.1876, August Paul, Addison's Influence on the Social Reform of His Age, T.G. Meissner, page 55
2. An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.
   • He didn't switch on the fan because the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius.
3. The action of fanning; agitation of the air.
   • "If I cannot be of service, then I certainly don't wish to impose," said McGinty, with a quick fan of breeze that indicated a sweeping bow.1998, Brock Thoene, Bodie Thoene, A New Frontier: Saga of the Sierras, page 181
4. Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.
5. An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
   • The oxen likewise and the yong asses that eare the ground, shall eate cleane prouender which hath bene winnowed with the shouell and with the fanne.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 30:24
6. A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock mill always in the direction of the wind.

See all 25 meanings of fan