Category:Van

Van, n. Etym: [abbrev. fr. vanguard.]

Defn: 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 van and rear, stream in the air. Milton.

Van Van, n. Etym: [cornish.] (mining)

Defn: a shovel used in cleansing ore.

Van Van, v. t. (mining)

Defn: to wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel. Raymond.

Van Van, n. Etym: [abbreviated from caravan.]

1. A light wagon, either covered or open, used by tradesmen and Others fore the transportation of goods. [eng.]

2. A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for Conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.

3. A close railway car for baggage. See the note under car, 2. [eng.]

Van Van, n. Etym: [l. vannus a van, or fan for winnowing grain: cf. F. Van. Cf. Fan, van a wing winnow.]

1. A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.

2. Etym: [of. vanne, f. vanneau beam feather (cf. It. vanno a wing) Fr. L. vannus. See etymology above.]

Defn: a wing with which the air is beaten. [archaic] "[/angels] on The air plumy vans received him. " milton. He wheeled in air, and stretched his vans in vain; his vans no longer Could his flight sustain. Dryden.

Van Van, v. t. Etym: [cf. F. vanner to winnow, to fan. See van a Winnowing machine.]

Defn: to fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow. [obs.] Bacon.