[fan] 
noun, verb, fanned, fan⋅ning.| 1. | any device for producing a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of such surfaces. |
| 2. | an implement of feathers, leaves, paper, cloth, etc., often in the shape of a long triangle or of a semicircle, for waving lightly in the hand to create a cooling current of air about a person: We sat on the veranda, cooling ourselves with palm-leaf fans. |
| 3. | anything resembling such an implement, as the tail of a bird. |
| 4. | any of various devices consisting essentially of a series of radiating vanes or blades attached to and revolving with a central hublike portion to produce a current of air: ceiling fan; wall fan. |
| 5. | a series of revolving blades supplying air for winnowing or cleaning grain. |
| 6. | Horology. fly 1 (def. 28). |
| 7. | a semicircular decoration of bunting. |
| 8. | Physical Geography. an alluvial fan. |
| 9. | to move or agitate (the air) with or as if with a fan. |
| 10. | to cause air to blow upon, as from a fan; cool or refresh with or as if with a fan: He fanned his face with a newspaper. |
| 11. | to stir to activity with or as if with a fan: to fan a flame; to fan emotions. |
| 12. | (of a breeze, current of air, etc.) to blow upon, as if driven by a fan: A cool breeze fanned the shore. |
| 13. | to spread out like a fan: The dealer fanned the cards. |
| 14. | Informal. to move (oneself) quickly: You'll fan your tail out of here if you know what's good for you. |
| 15. | Agriculture. to winnow, esp. by an artificial current of air. |
| 16. | Baseball. (of a pitcher) to strike out (a batter). |
| 17. | Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to punish by spanking; spank: Your mother will fan you good if you break that dish. |
| 18. | to strike, swing, or brush lightly at something. |
| 19. | Western U.S. (chiefly cowboy use ). to slap the flanks of (a horse or other animal) repeatedly with a hat to get it to move or move faster. |
| 20. | to spread out like a fan (often fol. by out): The forest fire fanned out in all directions. |
| 21. | Baseball. (of a batter) to strike out, usually by swinging at and missing the pitch charged as the third strike. |
| 22. | hit the fan, Slang. to become suddenly more awkward, embarrassing, or troublesome: When news of the incident was leaked to the press, everything hit the fan at once. |
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