Want to remove ads? Log in to see fewer ads, and become a Premium Member to remove all ads.

Origin and history of van

van(n.1)

"front part of an army on the march or other advancing group," c. 1600, shortening of vanguard. Also from c. 1600 in reference to leaders of any movement in which many are engaged.

also from c. 1600

van(n.2)

1829, "covered truck or wagon," shortening of caravan (n.), in which the final element is from Persian. Century Dictionary suggests caravan was perhaps regarded as *carry-van. Originally especially for moving furniture and household goods; later also a motor vehicle with a covered rear compartment used by tradesmen for service and delivery, also hippies.

also from 1829

van(n.3)

"fan or other similar device for winnowing grain, etc.; winnowing-basket or shovel;" mid-15c., an unaltered variant of fan (n.1).

Entries linking to van

caravan(n.)

1590s, in reference to in North Africa or western Asia, "company of travelers, pilgrims, merchants, etc., going together for security," from French caravane, from Old French carvane, carevane "caravan" (13c.), or Medieval Latin caravana, words picked up during the Crusades, via Arabic qairawan from Persian karwan "group of desert travelers" (which Klein connects to Sanskrit karabhah "camel").

Used in English for "any large number of persons traveling together with much baggage" (1660s), hence "a large covered carriage for conveying passengers" (1670s) or later for traveling shows or used as a house by Gypsies. In modern British use (from 1930s), often a rough equivalent of the U.S. camper or recreational vehicle.

fan(n.1)

device to make an air current, Old English fann (West Saxon) "a basket or shovel for winnowing grain" (by tossing it in the air), from Latin vannus, perhaps related to ventus "wind" (see wind (n.1)), or from PIE root *wet- (1) "to blow" (also "to inspire, spiritually arouse;" see wood (adj.)). Old English did not have a letter -v-, hence the change in the initial consonant.

The chaff, being lighter, would blow off. Sense of "device for moving air" first recorded late 14c.; the hand-held version is first attested 1550s. A fan-light (1819) was shaped like a lady's fan. The automobile's fan-belt is from 1909. Fan-dance is from 1872 in a Japanese context; by 1937 as a type of burlesque performance.

vanguard(n.)

mid-15c., vaunt garde, "foremost division of an army; detachment of an army assigned to guard against surprise in front and clear the way," from an Anglo-French variant of Old French avant-garde, from avant "in front" (see avant) + garde "guard" (see guard (n.)). Earlier vaunt-ward (c. 1300, probably from Anglo-French). Partially Englished as vanward (late 15c.). The use in Communist revolutionary writing is recorded by 1928.