What does "fan out" mean?

To spread out into the shape of a fan.

What is a synonym for "fan out"?

Common synonyms include: aberrate, bestrew, branch, branch out, broadcast, circumfuse.

verb, slang

verb, slang ·Moderate ·College level

Verb

1
To spread out into the shape of a fan. also, figuratively, intransitive, transitive
"West of the summit the cutting fans out at the entrance to the new yard on the north side."
2
move outward wordnet
3
To display (or reveal) oneself as a fan or obsessive. slang
"A 2014 study published by Innovations in Clincal Neuroscience, however, pointed to "narcissistic features, dissociation, addictive tendencies, stalking behavior, and compulsive buying" among people who fan out over celebrities."

"West of the summit the cutting fans out at the entrance to the new yard on the north side."