Definition of
Fan
- (noun, artifact) a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
- (noun, person) an enthusiastic devotee of sports
- (noun, person) an ardent follower and admirer
- (verb, contact) strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
- (verb, change) make (an emotion) fiercer
- (verb, motion) agitate the air
- (verb, contact) separate the chaff from by using air currents
via WordNet, Princeton University
Alternate forms of Fan
Hyponyms: aerophile, aficionado, amorist, bacchanal, bacchant, blower, electric fan, exhaust fan, groupie, metalhead, punkah, railbird, winnow
Hypernyms: agitate, compound, deepen, device, enthusiast, follower, heighten, intensify, partisan, partizan, shake, sieve, sift, strain, strike out
Origin of the word Fan
- O.E. (W. Saxon) fann "a basket or shovel for winnowing grain" (by tossing it in the air), from L. vannus, related to ventus "wind" (see wind (n.)). The chaff, being lighter, would blow off. Sense of "device for moving air" first recorded late 14c.; the hand-held version is first attested 1550s. Related: Fanned; fanning. To fan out "spre… more
- 1889, Amer.Eng., originally of baseball enthusiasts, probably a shortening of fanatic, but may be influenced by the Fancy (1807), a collective term for followers of a certain hobby or sport (especially boxing). There is an isolated use from 1682, but the modern word is likely a new formation. more
via Online Etymology Dictionary, ©2001 Douglas Harper