n. The common name of instruments for producing agitation of the air by the movements of a broad surface, as of a wing or vane.n. Any contrivance of vanes or flat disks, revolved by machinery or by hand, as for winnowing grain, cooling fluids, urging combustion, promoting ventilation, etc.n. A small vane or sail used to keep the large sails of a windmill always in the direction of the wind.n. An apparatus for regulating or checking, by the resistance of the air to its rapid motion, the velocity of light machinery, as in a musical box; a fly.n. An apparatus, also called the fan-governor, for regulating the throttle-valve of a steam-engine.n. In soapmanuf., a rotating paddle, so set that its blades skim closely over the surface of the boiling mass in the soap-copper. It serves to prevent the contents of the copper from boiling over.n. Something resembling a fan when spread, as the wing of a bird, the tail of a peacock, etc.n. In geology, an accumulation of debris brought down by a stream descending through a steep ravine and debouching in the plain beneath, where the detrital material spreads itself out in the shape of a fan, forming a section of a very low cone.n. . A quintain.n. Figuratively, any agency which excites to action or which stimulates the activity of a passion or an emotion, producing effects analogous to those of a fan in exciting flame: as, this was a fan to rebellion; a fan to love.n. In Arthropoda, an appendage of the abdomen, as in the tail of Mysis, which may contain an auditory organ.n. A measure of chaff, in Cambridgeshire, England, equal to 3 heaped bushels.n. The flukes of a whale: a whalers'term.To cool and refresh, or affect in any way, by agitating the air with or as with a fan.To move or agitate with or as with a fan.To blow upon, literally or figuratively; excite, as fire, by means of a current of air.To winnow; separate chaff from and drive it away by a current of air.Figuratively, to produce effects upon analogous to those of a fan in exciting flame; excite; increase the activity or ardor of; stimulate; inflame: said of the passions and emotions, of plots, etc.: as, this fanned the flame of his love; he fanned the embers of rebellion.To move, as if by the action of a fan or by fanning.To assume a fanlike shape.n. n. In projective geometry, one of the flat pencils which are determined by the sides of a polygram.To “cool with a club”; club, as policemen sometimes club refractory prisoners.To strike at something (as a base-ball) without hitting it; fan the air.To strike out, as in base-ball.n. One who is very enthusiastic on the subject of athletic sports, especially base-ball; one who haunts base-ball grounds and base-ball games; a base-ball ‘fiend.’
