Main Entry: ²fan

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): fanned; fan·ning

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to drive away the chaff of (grain) by means of a current of air b : to eliminate (as chaff) by winnowing
2 : to move or impel (air) with a fan
3 : to blow or breathe upon <the breeze fanning her hair>
4 a : to direct a current of air upon with a fan b : to stir up to activity as if by fanning : stimulate <fanning the fires of nationalism>
5 archaic : wave
6 slang : spank
7 : to spread like a fan <the peacock fanned his tail>
8 : to strike (a batter) out in baseball
9 : to fire a series of shots from (a single-action revolver) by holding the trigger back and successively striking the hammer to the rear with the free handintransitive verb 1 : to move like a fan : flutter
2 : to spread like a fan —often used with out <the searchers fanned out>
3 : strike out 3

— fan·ner \ˈfa-nər\ noun