Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - van

1. 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.