winnow

[ win-oh ]
/ ˈwɪn oʊ /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to free grain from chaff by wind or driven air.
to fly with flapping wings; flutter.

noun

a device or contrivance used for winnowing.
an act of winnowing.

Origin of winnow

before 900; Middle English win(d)wen (v.), Old English windwian, derivative of wind wind1

OTHER WORDS FROM winnow

win·now·er, noun un·win·nowed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for winnowing

British Dictionary definitions for winnowing

winnow
/ (ˈwɪnəʊ) /

verb

to separate (grain) from (chaff) by means of a wind or current of air
(tr) to examine in order to select the desirable elements
(tr) archaic to beat (the air) with wings
(tr) rare to blow upon; fan

noun

  1. a device for winnowing
  2. the act or process of winnowing

Derived forms of winnow

winnower, noun

Word Origin for winnow

Old English windwian; related to Old High German wintōn, Gothic diswinthjan, Latin ventilāre. See wind 1