VEG·AN /ˈVĒGƎN/

what is a vegan? ... well that's an easy one!... a person who does not eat or use animal products - that's pretty straight forward! so why does so much confusion exist as to who is and who is not a "vegan", not to mention the very liberal interpretation of the concept of what constitutes a vegetarian! (veg·e·tar·i·an/ˌvejiˈte(ə)rēən/ (noun) a person who does not eat meat, and sometimes other animal products, esp. for moral, religious, or health reasons). perhaps the sticking point is the reference to 'other animal products'

the veg society makes this a little more straight forward, for those of you who are still a little lost, by defining vegetarianism fundamentally as a person who does not eat meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea, or any by-products of slaughter followed by 4 degrees:  

1. lacto-ovo-vegetarian: eat both dairy products and eggs (most common 'type' of vegetarian diet) 
2. lacto-vegetarian: eat dairy products but not eggs
3. ovo-vegetarian: eat eggs but not dairy products
4. vegan: does not eat dairy products, eggs, or any other animal product

about.com gives a more in-depth description of this 4th degree (veganism) by noting that vegans also do not eat foods that are processed using animal products, such as refined white sugar and some wines, and avoid the use of all products tested on animals, as well as animal-derived non-food products, such as leather, fur and wool - spot on!