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Webster's New World College Dictionary » winnower
winnower
Variant of winnow
winnow
definition
win·now (win′ō)
transitive verb
- to blow the chaff from (grain) by wind or a forced current of air
- to blow off (chaff) in this manner
- to blow away; scatter
- to analyze or examine carefully in order to separate the various elements; sift
- to separate out or eliminate (the poor or useless parts)
- to sort out or extract (the good or useful parts)
- Now Rare to fan with or as with the wings
Etymology: ME winewen < OE windwian, to winnow < wind, wind
intransitive verb
to winnow grain
noun
- the act of winnowing
- an apparatus for winnowing
Related Forms:
- winnower win′·nower noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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