nan

Etymology 1

From Nan, pet form of the formerly very common female given names Anne and Agnes. As a nursemaid and grandmother, a clipping of earlier nana, from nanny under the probable influence of mama, also from Nan. Compare Mary.

noun

1. (obsolete) Synonym of maid: a servant girl.
2. (slang, obsolete) Synonym of nancy: an effeminate male homosexual.
3. (UK, endearing) Synonym of nursemaid.
4. (Britain, Ireland, Australia, Canada, endearing) Synonym of grandmother.
   We had my nan over for Christmas dinner.

Etymology 2

See at naan.

noun

1. Alternative spelling of naan
   Gerry ordered poppadoms and parathas and then he was interrupted by requests for vindaloos, chicken madrases and sag joshes, rice, raita and nan, from Priest, Morgan and Maria Grazia. 2002, Desmond Barry, A Bloody Good Friday, page 157