from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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The air . . . fanned with unnumbered plumes.
--Milton.
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2. To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow
the air on the face of with a fan.
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3. To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.
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Calm as the breath which fans our eastern groves.
--Dryden.
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4. To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a
current of air; as, to fan wheat. --Jer. li. 2.
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5. To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan excites a
flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the
excitement of the populace.
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{Fanning machine}, or {Fanning mill}, a machine for
separating seed from chaff, etc., by a blast of air; a
fanner.
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