winnow

Meanings

Noun

• the act of separating grain from chaff
  • "the winnowing was done by women"

Verb

• separate the chaff from by using air currents
  • "She stood there winnowing chaff all day in the field"
• blow on
  • "The wind was winnowing her hair"
  • "the wind winnowed the grass"
• select desirable parts from a group or list
  • "winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants"
• blow away or off with a current of air
  • "winnow chaff"

Synonyms

cull out, fan, sifting, winnowing