'Sifting' definitions:

Definition of 'sifting'

From: WordNet
noun
The act of separating grain from chaff; "the winnowing was done by women" [syn: winnow, winnowing, sifting]

Definition of 'Sifting'

From: GCIDE
  • Sift \Sift\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sifting.] [AS. siftan, from sife sieve. [root]151a. See Sieve.]
  • 1. To separate with a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal or flour; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To separate or part as if with a sieve. [1913 Webster]
  • When yellow sands are sifted from below, The glittering billows give a golden show. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To examine critically or minutely; to scrutinize. [1913 Webster]
  • Sifting the very utmost sentence and syllable. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
  • Opportunity I here have had To try thee, sift thee. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Let him but narrowly sift his ideas. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
  • To sift out, to search out with care, as if by sifting. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Sifting'