Van word meaning and definition

[noun] a truck with an enclosed cargo space
[noun] (British) a camper equipped with living quarters
[noun] the leading units moving at the head of an army
[noun] artists or writers whose ideas are ahead of their time

\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.
\Van\, n. [Cornish.] (Mining) A shovel used in cleansing ore.
\Van\, v. t. (Mining) To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel. --Raymond.
\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.]
\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.
\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.

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