Van
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): (n.) A light wagon, either covered or open, used by tradesmen and others fore the transportation of goods.
(2): (v. t.) To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel.
(3): (n.) A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.
(4): (n.) 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.
(5): (n.) A shovel used in cleansing ore.
(6): (n.) A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.
(7): (n.) A close railway car for baggage. See the Note under Car, 2.
(8): (n.) A wing with which the air is beaten.
(9): (v. t.) To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
A town in the Kurdistan Highlands, on the SE. shore of Lake Van, and 145 m. SE. of Erzerum; inhabited by Turks and Armenians.