fan

¹fan

noun \ˈfan\

Definition of FAN

1

: any of various devices for winnowing grain

2

: an instrument for producing a current of air: as a : a device that is held in the hand and moved back and forth to cool a person and that is usually shaped like a segment of a circle and composed of material (as feathers or paper) mounted on thin rods or slats moving about a pivot so that the device may be closed compactly when not in use b : a device that consists of a series of vanes radiating from a hub rotated on its axle by a motor c slang : an airplane propeller

3

a : something resembling an open fan b : a gently sloping fan-shaped body of detritus; especially : alluvial fan

— fan·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Origin of FAN

Middle English, from Old English fann, from Latin vannus — more at winnow

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with FAN

an, ban, bran, can, clan, Dan, flan, Jan, Klan, man, pan, Pan, panne, plan, scan, Shan, span, tan, van, Van