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sifting |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. 2. To separate or part as if with a sieve. When yellow sands are sifted from below, The glittering billows give a golden show --Dryden. 3. To examine critically or minutely; to scrutinize. Sifting the very utmost sentence and syllable. --Hooker. Opportunity I here have had To try thee, sift thee. --Milton. Let him but narrowly sift his ideas. --I. Taylor. {To sift out}, to search out with care as if by sifting. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: sifting n : the act of winnowing [syn: {winnow}, {winnowing}]
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