Word Direct Answers

What does "van" mean?

Van: A light wagon, either covered or open, used by tradesmen and others fore the transportation of goods. [Eng.]

Additional senses

  1. 2.A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.
  2. 3.A close railway car for baggage. See the Note under Car, 2. [Eng.]
  3. 4.A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.
  4. 5.Etym: [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 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.
  5. 6.To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow. [Obs.] Bacon.

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