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

1. \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.
   

2. \Van\, n. [Cornish.] (Mining)
   A shovel used in cleansing ore.
   

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

4. \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.]
   

5. \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.
   

6. \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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