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
Origin:
ME winewen < OE windwian, to winnow < wind, wind