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 verb1 a: to put through a sieve <sift flour> b: to separate or separate out by or as if by putting through a sieve2: 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 verb1: to use a sieve2: to pass or fall as if through a sieve

— sift·er noun