Ventilator vs. Fan

A device that circulates fresh air and expels stale or noxious air.

(medicine) A respirator.

A contrivance for effecting ventilation; especially, a contrivance or machine for drawing off or expelling foul or stagnant air from any place or apartment, or for introducing that which is fresh and pure.

a device (such as a fan) that introduces fresh air or expels foul air

a device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure

A ventilator is a machine that provides mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently. Ventilators are computerized microprocessor-controlled machines, but patients can also be ventilated with a simple, hand-operated bag valve mask.

A hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself.

An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.

Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.

An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.

A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind.

(maths) A section of a tree having a finite number of branches

An admirer or aficionado, especially of a sport or performer; someone who is fond of something or someone.

Example: ‘I am a big fan of libraries.’;

(transitive) To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise.

Example: ‘We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind.’;

(transitive) To slap (a behind, especially).

To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.

A maneuver done by flicking the top rear of an old style gun.

(metaphoric) To invigorate.

To winnow grain.

An instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface

Example: ‘Clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.’;

That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion.

A quintain; - from its form.

To move as with a fan.

Example: ‘The air . . . fanned with unnumbered plumes.’;

To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan.

To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.

Example: ‘Calm as the breath which fans our eastern groves.’;

To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat.

To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan excites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace.

a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces

an enthusiastic devotee of sports

an ardent follower and admirer

strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)

make (an emotion) fiercer;

Example: ‘fan hatred’;

agitate the air

separate from chaff;

Example: ‘She stood there winnowing grain all day in the field’;

an apparatus with rotating blades that creates a current of air for cooling or ventilation

Example: ‘a couple of ceiling fans, lazily turning’; ‘the kitchen may need to be fitted with an extractor fan’;

a small sail for keeping the head of a windmill towards the wind.

a handheld device, typically folding and shaped like a segment of a circle when spread out, that is waved so as to cool the person holding it

Example: ‘the girls were giggling behind their fans’;

a thing resembling an open fan

Example: ‘fan vaulting’;

a fan-shaped alluvial or talus deposit at the foot of a slope

Example: ‘there are great waste fans at the foot of the Andes in the desert’;

a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person or thing

Example: ‘I'm a fan of this author’; ‘football fans’;

cool (someone or something) by waving an object to create a current of air

Example: ‘he fanned himself with his hat’;

(of breath or a breeze) blow gently on

Example: ‘his breath fanned her skin as he leant towards her’;

brush or drive away with a waving movement

Example: ‘a veil of smoke which she fanned away with a jewelled hand’;

swing unsuccessfully at the ball or puck

Example: ‘he had fanned 37 times in 83 at-bats’;

strike out (a batter)

Example: ‘Norris fanned nine batters with his screwball’;

increase the strength of (a fire) by blowing on it or stirring up the air near it

Example: ‘fanned by an easterly wind, the fire spread rapidly’;

cause (a belief or emotion) to become stronger or more widespread

Example: ‘a fury fanned by press coverage’;

disperse or radiate from a central point to cover a wide area

Example: ‘the arriving passengers began to fan out through the town in search of lodgings’;

spread out or cause to spread out into a semicircular shape

Example: ‘a wind fanned her hair out behind her’; ‘a dress made of tiny pleats that fanned out as she walked’;