ETYM Greek: cf. French enthousiaste.
An ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity; SYN. partisan, partizan.
ETYM AS. fann, from Latin vannus fan, van for winnowing grain; cf. French van. Related to Van a winnowing machine, Winnow.
1. A device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces.
2. An ardent follower; SYN. buff, devotee, lover, afficionado.
Fashion accessory, opening from the folded state into a semicircular shape which is held in the hand and gently moved backward and forward to create a circulation of air, cooling the holder of the fan.
Fans were introduced into Europe through trade routes from the East in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Made of materials such as sandalwood, ivory, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, feathers, silk, paper, and lace, and sometimes decorated with hand-painted designs, fans reached the height of popularity in the 18th century.