sift
transitive verb
- to pass through a sieve so as to separate the coarse from the fine particles, or to break up lumps, as of flour
- to scatter (a pulverized substance) by or as by the use of a sieve
- to inspect or examine with care, as by testing or questioning; weigh (evidence, etc.)
- to separate; screen; distinguish: to sift fact from fable
intransitive verb
- to sift something
- to pass through or as through a sieve
See sift in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(sĭft)
verb sift·ed,
sift·ing,
sifts verb, transitive- To put (flour, for example) through a sieve or other straining device in order to separate the fine from the coarse particles.
- To distinguish as if separating with a sieve: sifted the candidates for the job.
- To apply by scattering with or as if with a sieve: sift sugar on a dessert.
- To examine and sort carefully: sift the evidence.
verb, intransitive- To make use of a sieve.
- To pass through or as if through a sieve: a meal that sifts easily.
- To make a careful examination: sifted through back issues of the magazine.
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