Main Entry: sift

Pronunciation: \ˈsift\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English siftan; akin to Old English sife sieve

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to put through a sieve <sift flour> b : to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve
2 : to go through especially to sort out what is useful or valuable <sifted the evidence> —often used with through <sift through a pile of old letters>
3 : to scatter by or as if by sifting <sift sugar on a cake>intransitive verb 1 : to use a sieve
2 : to pass or fall as if through a sieve

— sift·er noun