Van
Van , noun
[Abbrev. from 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 van and rear,
Stream in the air.
Van , noun
[Cornish.]
(Mining) A shovel used in cleansing ore.
Van , transitive verb
(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. [English]
2.
A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.
3.
A closed railway car for baggage. See the Note under Car, 2. [English]
Van , noun
[Latin vannus a van, or fan for winnowing grain: compare French van. Compare Fan, Van a wing Winnow.]
1.
A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.
2.
A wing with which the air is beaten. [Archaic]
[/Angels] on their plumy vans received him.
He wheeled in air, and stretched his vans in vain;
His vans no longer could his flight sustain.
Van , transitive verb
[Compare French vanner to winnow, to fan. See Van a winnowing machine.]
To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow. [Obsolete] — Bacon