Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VAN, n. [The radical word from which is formed the Fr. avant, avancer, Eng. advance, advantage. It is from the root of L. venio, the primary sense of which is to pass.]

1. The front of an army; or the front line or foremost division of a fleet, either in sailing or in battle.
2. Among farmers, a fan for winnowing grain. [This in New England is always pronounced fan, – which see. But the winnowing machine has nearly superseded the use of it.]
3. In mining, the cleansing of ore or tin stuff by means of a shovel. – Cyc.
4. A wing with which the air is beaten. He wheel'd in air, and stretch'd his vans in vain . – Dryden.
5. In England, a large covered carriage for the transportation of goods.