Van \Van\, n. [Cornish.]

(Mining) A shovel used in cleansing ore.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Van \Van\, v. t. (Mining) To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel. --Raymond.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Van \Van\, n. [Abbreviated from caravan.]

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

2. A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.

3. A close railway car for baggage. See the Note under Car, 2. [Eng.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Van \Van\, n. [L. vannus a van, or fan for winnowing grain: cf. F. van. Cf. Fan, Van a wing Winnow.]

1. A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.

2. [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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Van \Van\, v. t. [Cf. F. vanner to winnow, to fan. See Van a winnowing machine.]

To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow. [Obs.]

--Bacon.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Van \Van\, n. [Abbrev. fr. 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. --Milton.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)