[f. VAN sb.1 and v.1]
1. One who winnows with a fan, rare.
1552. Huloet, Vanner, uannator.
1611. Cotgr., Vanneur, a vanner, or winnower of corne.
2. Mining. One who tests the quality of ore by washing it on a shovel.
1671. Phil. Trans., VI. 2098. Whereby the kind, nature and quantity of the Ore is guessed at,… without any great deception, especially if the Vanner have any judgement at all.
1875. J. H. Collins, Met. Mining, 12. The speed and accuracy with which a practised vanner determines the value of a sample of tin ore, fills the beholder with wonder and delight.
b. An apparatus for separating minerals from the gangue.
1882. U.S. Rep. Prec. Met., 71. The concentrate from the vanners is high, but the tailings rich.
1890. Melbourne Argus, 16 June, 6/2. The company … obtained between 12 and 13 tons of pyrites from the vanners.
