sift

Definitions


[sɪft], (Verb)

Definitions:
- put (a fine or loose substance) through a sieve so as to remove lumps or large particles
(e.g: sift the flour into a large bowl)

- examine (something) thoroughly so as to isolate that which is most important
(e.g: until we sift the evidence ourselves, we can't comment objectively)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English siftan, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch ziften, also to sieve


[sɪft], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an act of sifting something, especially so as to isolate that which is most important
(e.g: a careful archaeological sift must be made through the debris)


Phrases:

Origin:
Old English siftan, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch ziften, also to sieve




definition by Oxford Dictionaries