Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

wan

 - 10 dictionary results

wan

1  [won] adjective, wan⋅ner, wan⋅nest, verb, wanned, wan⋅ning.
Use wan in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of an unnatural or sickly pallor; pallid; lacking color: His wan face suddenly flushed.
2. showing or suggesting ill health, fatigue, unhappiness, etc.: a wan look; a wan smile.
3. lacking in forcefulness, competence, or effectiveness: their wan attempts to organize the alumni.
4. Archaic.
a. dark or gloomy.
b. pale in color or hue.
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object)
5. to become or make wan.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE wann dark, gloomy

Related forms:
wanly, adverb
wanness, noun

Synonyms:
1. ashen. See pale 1 . 3. feeble, weak, half-hearted, lame.

Antonyms:
1. ruddy.

wan

2  [wahn]
–verb Obsolete.
a pt. of win.

WAN

  [wan]
–noun
wide-area network.

wide-area network

 
–noun
a computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area.
Also called WAN.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To wan
wan   (wŏn)   
adj.   wan·ner, wan·nest

  1. Unnaturally pale, as from physical or emotional distress.

  2. Suggestive or indicative of weariness, illness, or unhappiness; melancholy: a wan expression.

intr.v.   wanned, wan·ning, wans
To become pale.

[Middle English, pale, gloomy, from Old English wann, gloomy, dark.]
wan'ly adv., wan'ness n.
WAN   (wān)   
n.  A communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN.

[w(ide) a(rea) n(etwork).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

wan 
O.E. wann "dark, lacking luster," later "leaden, pale, gray," of uncertain origin, and not found in other Gmc. languages. The connecting notion is colorlessness. Perhaps related to wane.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
WAN   (wān)  Pronunciation Key 
Short for wide area network.A communications network that uses such devices as telephone lines, satellite dishes, or radio waves to span a larger geographic area than can be covered by a LAN. The Internet is a WAN.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Computing Dictionary

WAN
Wide Area Network

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
Cite This Source
Abbreviations & Acronyms
WAN

  1. Nigeria (international vehicle ID)

  2. wide area network

The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see wan on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way