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
OTHER WORDS FROM winnow
win·now·er, noun un·win·nowed, adjectiveWords nearby winnow
winnipeg couch,
winnipegger,
winnipegosis,
winnipesaukee,
winnock,
winnow,
winny,
wino,
winona,
winslet,
winslow
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
- a device for winnowing
- the act or process of winnowing
Derived forms of winnow
winnower, nounWord Origin for winnow
Old English
windwian; related to Old High German
wintōn, Gothic
diswinthjan, Latin
ventilāre. See
wind
1