n.
1 a covered vehicle for conveying goods etc.
2 Brit. a railway carriage for luggage or for the use of the guard.
3 Brit. a gypsy caravan.
Etymology: abbr. of CARAVAN
2.
n.
1 a vanguard.
2 the forefront (in the van of progress).
Etymology: abbr. of VANGUARD
3.
n.
1 the testing of ore quality by washing on a shovel or by machine.
2 archaic a winnowing fan.
3 archaic or poet. a wing.
Etymology: ME, southern & western var. of FAN(1), perh. partly f. OF van or L vannus
4.
n. Brit. Tennis colloq. = ADVANTAGE.
Etymology: abbr.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.