Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FAN, n. [Sax. fann; Sw. vanna; D. wan; G. wanne; L. vannus; Fr. van; Sp. and Port. abano. The word, in German and Swedish, signifies a fan and a tub, as if from opening or spreading; if so, it seems to be allied to pane, pannel. Class Bn.]

1. An instrument used by ladies to agitate the air and cool the face in warm weather. It is made of feathers, or of thin skin, paper or taffeta mounted on sticks, &c.
2. Something in the form of a woman's fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, &c..
3. An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is thrown up and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
4. Something by which the air is moved; a wing. Dryden.
5. An instrument to raise the fire or flame; as, a fan to inflame love. Hooker.