fanning Definition

fan¹
noun

1. A hand-held device made of paper, silk, etc, usually semicircular and folding flat when not in use, for creating a current of air to cool the face.
2a. Something of a similar shape, ie a semicircle or a smaller sector of a circle;
2b. Any structure that can be spread into the shape of a fan, eg a bird's wing or tail.
3. A machine with revolving blades, for producing a current of air.

Thesaurus: blower, ventilator.
4. A device for winnowing grain.

verb fanned, fanning

1. To cool something or someone by blowing a current of air onto it, with or as if with a fan.

Thesaurus: cool, air-condition, ventilate.
2. To kindle something or stir something up, with or as if with a current of air.

Thesaurus: excite, arouse, stir up, whip up, work up, stimulate, impassion, rouse, provoke, aggravate, agitate, enkindle.
3. To agitate (air), with or as if with a fan.
4. To winnow (grain).

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon fann.

Phrasal Verb: fan out

To spread out, or cause to spread out, in the shape of a fan.
Example: The peacock's feathers fanned out giving a beautiful display