Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fan \Fan\, n. [AS. fann, fr. L. vannus fan, van for winnowing
   grain; cf. F. van. Cf. {Van} a winnowing machine, {Winnow}.]
   1. An instrument used for producing artificial currents of
      air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad
      surface; as:
      (a) An instrument for cooling the person, made of
          feathers, paper, silk, etc., and often mounted on
          sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when
          opened to radiate from the center and assume the
          figure of a section of a circle.
      (b) (Mach.) Any revolving vane or vanes used for producing
          currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire,
          ventilation, etc., or for checking rapid motion by the
          resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel.
      (c) An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the
          grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is
          separated and blown away.
      (d) Something in the form of a fan when spread, as a
          peacock's tail, a window, etc.
      (e) A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of
          a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind.

                Clean provender, which hath been winnowed with
                the shovel and with the fan.      --Is. xxx. 24.

   2. That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan,
      as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames,
      heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the
      flame of his passion.

   3. A quintain; -- from its form. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   {Fan blower}, a wheel with vanes fixed on a rotating shaft
      inclosed in a case or chamber, to create a blast of air
      (fan blast) for forge purposes, or a current for draft and
      ventilation; a fanner.

   {Fan cricket} (Zo["o]l.), a mole cricket.

   {Fan light} (Arch.), a window over a door; -- so called from
      the semicircular form and radiating sash bars of those
      windows which are set in the circular heads of arched
      doorways.

   {Fan shell} (Zo["o]l.), any shell of the family
      {Pectinid[ae]}. See {Scallop}, n., 1.

   {Fan tracery} (Arch.), the decorative tracery on the surface
      of fan vaulting.

   {Fan vaulting} (Arch.), an elaborate system of vaulting, in
      which the ribs diverge somewhat like the rays of a fan, as
      in Henry VII.'s chapel in Westminster Abbey. It is
      peculiar to English Gothic.

   {Fan wheel}, the wheel of a fan blower.

   {Fan window}. Same as {Fan light} (above).

Fan \Fan\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fanned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Fanning}.] [Cf. OF. vanner, L. vannere. See {Fan}, n., {Van}
   a winnowing machine.]
   1. To move as with a fan.

            The air . . . fanned with unnumbered plumes.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow
      the air on the face of with a fan.

   3. To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.

            Calm as the breath which fans our eastern groves.
                                                  --Dryden.

   4. To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a
      current of air; as, to fan wheat. --Jer. li. 2.

   5. To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan axcites a
      flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the
      excitement of the populace.

   {Fanning machine}, or {Fanning mill}, a machine for
      separating seed from chaff, etc., by a blast of air; a
      fanner.

Source : WordNet®

fan
     n 1: a device for creating a current of air by movement of a
          surface or surfaces
     2: an enthusiastic devotee of sports [syn: {sports fan}]
     3: an ardent follower and admirer [syn: {buff}, {devotee}, {lover}]
     [also: {fanning}, {fanned}]

fan
     v 1: strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
     2: make (an emotion) fiercer; "fan hatred"
     3: agitate the air
     4: separate from chaff; "She stood there winnowing grain all
        day in the field" [syn: {winnow}]
     [also: {fanning}, {fanned}]