van Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
    vanguard; avant-garde; new wave.
  2. noun the leading units moving at the head of an army
    vanguard.
  3. noun (Great Britain) a closed railroad car that carries baggage or freight
  4. noun a camper equipped with living quarters
    caravan.
  5. noun a truck with an enclosed cargo space

WordNet

Van noun
Etymology
Abbrev. fr. vanguard.
Definitions
  1. 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.
Van noun
Etymology
Cornish.
Definitions
  1. (Mining) A shovel used in cleansing ore.
Van transitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Mining) To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel. Raymond.
Van noun
Etymology
Abbreviated from caravan.
Definitions
  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.
Van noun
Etymology
L. vannus a van, or fan for winnowing grain: cf. F. van. Cf. Fan, Van a wing Winnow.
Definitions
  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.
Van transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. vanner to winnow, to fan. See Van a winnowing machine.
Definitions
  1. To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow. Obs. Bacon.

Webster 1913