Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Van
Van
,Noun.
[Abbrev. fr.
vanguard
.] The front of an army; the first line or leading column; also, the front line or foremost division of a fleet, either in sailing or in battle.
Standards and gonfalons, twixt
Stream in the air.
van
and rear,Stream in the air.
Milton.
Van
,Noun.
[Cornish.]
(Mining)
A shovel used in cleansing ore.
Van
,Verb.
T.
(Mining)
To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel.
Raymond.
Van
,Noun.
[Abbreviated from
caravan
.] 1.
A light wagon, either covered or open, used by tradesmen and others for the transportation of goods.
[Eng.]
2.
A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.
1.
A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.
2.
[OF.
vanne
, F. vanneau
beam feather (cf. It. vanno
a wing) fr. L. vannus
. See Etymology above.] A wing with which the air is beaten.
[Archaic]
“[/Angels] on their plumy vans received him. ” Milton.
He wheeled in air, and stretched his
His
vans
in vain;His
vans
no longer could his flight sustain. Dryden.
Van
,Verb.
T.
[Cf. F.
vanner
to winnow, to fan. See Van
a winnowing machine.] To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
Webster 1828 Edition
Van
VAN
,Noun.
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 But the winnowing machine has nearly superseded the use of it.3.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.4.
A wing with which the air is beaten.He wheel'd in air, and stretch'd his vans in vain.
VAN
,Verb.
T.