sift

[ sift ]

verb (used with object)

1. to separate and retain the coarse parts of (flour, ashes, etc.) with a sieve.
2. to scatter or sprinkle through or by means of a sieve:

   to sift sugar onto cake.

3. to separate by or as if by a sieve.
4. to examine closely:

   The detectives are still sifting the evidence.

   Synonyms: probe, search, inspect, scrutinize, sort

5. to question closely.

verb (used without object)

1. to sift something.
2. to pass or fall through or as if through a sieve.

sift

/ sɪft /

verb

1. tr to sieve (sand, flour, etc) in order to remove the coarser particles
2. to scatter (something) over a surface through a sieve
3. tr to separate with or as if with a sieve; distinguish between
4. tr to examine minutely

   to sift evidence

5. intr to move as if through a sieve

Derived Forms

• ˈsifter, noun

Other Words From

• outsift verb (used with object)
• pre·sift verb (used with object)
• re·sift verb (used with object)
• un·sifted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sift¹

before 900; Middle English siften, Old English siftan; cognate with Dutch, Middle Low German siften; akin to sieve

Word History and Origins

Origin of sift¹

Old English siftan; related to Middle Low German siften to sift, Dutch ziften; see sieve

Related Words

• analyze
• comb
• delve into
• drain
• evaluate
• examine
• explore
• filter
• go through
• investigate
• pore over
• scrutinize
• winnow