The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fan \Fan\ (f[a^]n), n. [AS. fann, fr. L. vannus fan, van for winnowing grain; cf. F. van. Cf. Van a winnowing machine, Winnow.]
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An instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface; as:
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.
(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.
An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
Something in the form of a fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, etc.
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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.
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.
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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).
electric fan. a fan having revolving blades for propelling air, powered by an electric motor.
WordNet
n. an elaborate system of vaulting in which the ribs diverge like fans
Usage examples of "fan vaulting".
Soon he could see the roof of the temple, an incredible maze of fan vaulting.
Ely is great in its way, the fan vaulting in the cloisters at Gloucesteryou aren't listening.
A dense green place with towering trees that provided a fan vaulting, a cover against the enlarged-heart panics of central Athens.
He was now entering the huge, magnificent chapel of Henry the Seventh, fan vaulting as delicate as forest leaves above his head.