Middle English Dictionary Entry
fannen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | fannen v. Also vann(i)en. |
| Etymology | OE fannian & OF vanner. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To winnow (grain); also fig.; (b) to separate (the hulls) from the meal of grain ground in a mortar; ~ awei, ~ out; also, to process (grain) in this way.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)139 : Oure lhord ssel uanni his corn ate daye of dome.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)331b/b : The Vanne hatte ventilabrum and is instrument to Vanne wiþ.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15522 : Petre, freind, self sathanas has asked þe to fan; He wil þe sift nu, if he mai, as man dos corn or bran.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)149 : Fanne corne, or oþer lyke: Vanno.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)43 : Manye..throsshen it [grain] and fanned it. So michel beten it was, so michel fanned it was, that from the straw it was disceuered.
- (1465) Acc.Howard in RC 57476 : The barley that is in the berne, that my master schal take every seme thresshed and ffanned.
b
- (a1399) Form Cury (Add 5016)56 : Take clene whete and bete it small in a morter and fanne out clene the doust.
- a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279)7 : Fan owt þe holys.
- c1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(2) (Hrl 4016)70 : And vanne a-wey clene the duste.
- ?a1475 Noble Bk.Cook.(Hlk 674)86 : Tak clene whet and bet it in a mortoire and vane it clene.
2.
(a) Of a bird: to flap (with the wings); to flutter; (b) to blow (something away); to waft (air); (c) fannand, spreading out like a fan, flowing (hair).
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)457 : Fongez to þe flyȝt and fannez on þe wyndez.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)25/7 : The fewle commes, and lightes apon þe awter, and fannez with his wenges ay till þe forsaid thinges be sett on fire.
b
- a1425 PPl.C (Cmb Ff 5.35)23.168 : Vanned [Hnt: Elde..wayueþ away wanhope].
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)408 : He wente to his mennes beddes fete, and toke vp the clothes, and fanned hem wynde.
c
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)181 : Fayre fannand fax vmbe-foldes his schulderes.