Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In the manner or shape of a fan.
  • Having the shape or appearance of a fan.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective In a radial arrangement resembling a hand-held fan.
  • adverb In a fanwise manner.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

fan +‎ -wise

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Examples

  • As the adventurers approached the houses, the gorilla-men behind them spread out fanwise and one of them uttered a great roar.

    The Green-Eyed Shwemyethna 2010

  • As these diverged fanwise, and as our total number did not exceed twelve hundred fighting men, we were all soon reduced to quite small parties.

    Churchill On The Frontier - Mamund Valley Laban 2004

  • As these diverged fanwise, and as our total number did not exceed twelve hundred fighting men, we were all soon reduced to quite small parties.

    November 28, 2004 Laban 2004

  • As these diverged fanwise, and as our total number did not exceed twelve hundred fighting men, we were all soon reduced to quite small parties.

    Archive 2004-11-28 Laban 2004

  • There it lay, sprawled out within the bowl, black tentacles spread fanwise from its bloated body, its huge black eyes staring inscrutably up into mine!

    Dwellers in the Mirage 2004

  • Little showers of corn flung out fanwise from his hand; a kindly clouded sky, with a promise of the faintest little misty rain.

    The Growth of the Soil 2003

  • On each floor, on either side of a narrow communicating stair, opened out fanwise a range of shadowy galleries, along one of which, carrying a bolster, a chambermaid came past.

    Within a Budding Grove 2003

  • He was an oldish man, quiet and gentle in his ways and speech; tiny wrinkles spread out fanwise from the corners of his eyes, like the traces of a thousand kindly smiles.

    Under the Autumn Star 2003

  • I let the cold water stream fanwise through my fingers.

    The Waves 2003

  • The count, holding his cards fanwise, kept himself with difficulty from dropping into his usual after-dinner nap, and laughed at everything.

    War and Peace 2003

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