any device for producing a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of such surfaces.

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.

anything resembling such an implement, as the tail of a bird.

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.

a series of revolving blades supplying air for winnowing or cleaning grain.

Horology . fly 1 ( def. 28 ) .

a semicircular decoration of bunting.

Physical Geography . an alluvial fan.

to move or agitate (the air) with or as if with a fan.

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.

to stir to activity with or as if with a fan

to fan a flame; to fan emotions.

(of a breeze, current of air, etc.) to blow upon, as if driven by a fan

A cool breeze fanned the shore.

to spread out like a fan

The dealer fanned the cards.

Informal . to move (oneself) quickly

You'll fan your tail out of here if you know what's good for you.

Agriculture . to winnow, esp. by an artificial current of air.

Baseball . (of a pitcher) to strike out (a batter).

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to punish by spanking; spank

Your mother will fan you good if you break that dish.

to strike, swing, or brush lightly at something.

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.

to spread out like a fan (often fol. by out )

The forest fire fanned out in all directions.

Baseball . (of a batter) to strike out, usually by swinging at and missing the pitch charged as the third strike. ?

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.

noun

air conditioner , blade , draft , flabellum , leaf , palm leaf , propeller , thermantidote , vane , ventilator , windmill , addict , adherent , admirer , aficionado , amateur , buff , devotee , follower , freak * , groupie * , habitu , hound , lover , rooter , supporter , votary , zealot , enthusiast , fancier , bug , fanatic , maniac , apostle , flabellum (eccl.)

verb

aerate , air-condition , air-cool , cool , refresh , ruffle , spread , ventilate , wind , winnow , add fuel , agitate , arouse , enkindle , excite , expand , extend , impassion , increase , rouse , stimulate , stir up , whip up , work up , open , outstretch , stretch , unfold , unroll , admirer , aficionado , blower , booster , buff , devotee , encourage , enthusiast , flabellum , follower , foment , groupie , propeller , provoke , punkah , rooter , windmill