Fan

[A. S. fann; Fr. van; Lat. vannus, probably allied to vent us, the wind.] An instrument for winnowing grain by agitating the air. - An instrument used by ladies to agitate the air, and cool the face, in warm weather; hence, anything in the form of a woman's fan when spread; as, the fan of a peacock's tail, . ( Hist .) The fan is manufactured of feathers, of paper, thin skin, or ivory, joined together, and is generally carved and painted, in order to insure its embellishment. It is mentioned in the Grecian cla ics (Euripi des); indeed it was known in an æra far prior, as there are paintings in the relics of Thebes to prove that the Egyptians were familiar with its use. The fan was first brought into European notoriety by Catherine de Medicis, who introduced it into France, where it was so constructed that it could be used and folded in a manner similar to the fan in use at the present day. Great sums were spent on the ornamentation of the fans first in vogue, and many were painted on by the cunning fingers of Watteau. During the 16th and 17th centuries, they were used by gentlemen. The Chinese have greatly excelled in the art of fan-making, and in the species of lacquered fans their superiority is fully admitted. The Chinese themselves use a cheaper sort, made of bamboo and paper, polished, which cost about ten cents each. In Europe, France manufactures the greatest number of fans used by the world of fashion. Of late years the value of those manufactured exceeded $550,000 per annum. A species of large fan is used in India for cooling the air of rooms and keeping down the temperature; for further information upon which see PUNKAH. -A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a wind-mill always in the direction of the wind. -That which serves to excite or increase a flame; that which heightens or strengthens. "The contradiction of others is a fan to inflame their love." Hooker . -A machine employed to winnow grain. - See FANNER. -v. a. To cool and refresh the face by moving the air with a fan. "She was fanned into a slumber by her slaves." - Spectator . To ventilate; to blow on by agitating the air; as, to fan embers into a flame. "The sultry air "Pants on, and fans her parting hair." - Pope. "The air... fann'd with unnumbered plumes." - Milton. - To separate, as by winnowing; to winnow; to excite into motion by agitation of the air; as, to fan grain. Fanal', n. [Fr., from Gr. phanōs , lamp.] A pharos or light-house, or the lantern placed in it. Fanatic, Fanatical, a. [Fr. fanatique , from Lat. fanatic us, from fanum , a temple.] Seized with a divine enthusiasm or fury, as certain priests who officiated in he then temples; - hence, frantic; furious; mad: rabid, wild, and extravagant of opinion, particularly in a religious sense; exce ively enthusiastic; po e ed by a kind of mania or frenzy; as, fanatic zeal. (Pol. Econ .) When a scarcity of the means of subsistence is so considerable that food is not procurable even by the omi ion of all other expenditures, famine ensues, and the poorest and most weakly part of the population is sacrificed. Famines are epidemic in the East. The art of agriculture is imperfect, and the people, generally speaking, living on the cheapest food. and having no export trade of importance, are almost always close upon the margin of po ible subsistence. The occurrence of a famine reduces the numbers, and - To move, as with a fan. distributing what remains among fewer persons, leaves them the means of life. It is no doubt due to the phys iological fact that epidemic disorders of a novel and destructive kind are generated among people liable to periodical famines, that the small-pox, the black death or Oriental plague, and the cholera have travelled from the East westward at different periods. In the Middle Ages F. were frequent in Europe, but, in modern times, the facilities of communication so widen the markets, that for this as for European countries F. is no more a danger. It is clear that the kind of food which costs most to procure at home, and which can neverthele be grown over a wide area abroad, will, by commanding a better price, be supplied in fuller measure. Hence we reasonably predict that, though a rise in the price of barley and oats is intelligible, any scarcity in the yield of wheat on the hypothesis of free trade is highly problematical. In the next place, the wider the area. the more is the variation in seasons obviated. A bad harvest in one locality is met by a good harvest in another, just as a drought in one region is counterpoised by an increased rainfall in another. In short, the imports and exports of nature, to use an economical parallel, balance one another. The energies, too, of mankind, and especially in this country the immensity of the territory - whence a great diversity of climates, make the contingency of even scarcity very improbable for the future. See F. of the World , Wulford (Lond. 1879). Fam'ine, (Port,) a penal settlement of the republic of Chili, S. America; Lat. 58° 38′ S., Lon. 70° 58′ W. Fam'ish, v . a . Fr. affamer ; It. affumire .] To kill or destroy with hunger; to starve. "What, did he marry me to famish me?"- Shaks. -To distre with hunger; to reduce the strength or endurance of by means of hunger. "The pains of famish'd Tantalus he'll feel." -Dryden. To kill by deprivation of anything nece ary to life. " Famish him of breath, if not of bread." - Milton .