Winnowing

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Winnow \Win"now\ (w[i^]n"n[-o]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Winnowed}
     (w[i^]n"n[-o]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Winnowing}.] [OE. windewen,
     winewen, AS. windwian; akin to Goth. winpjan (in comp.),
     winpi-skauro a fan, L. ventilare to fan, to winnow; cf. L.
     wannus a fan for winnowing, G. wanne, OHG. wanna. [root]131.
     See {Wind} moving air, and cf. {Fan}., n., {Ventilate}.]


     [1913 Webster]
     1. To separate, and drive off, the chaff from by means of
        wind; to fan; as, to winnow grain.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Ho winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing floor.
                                                    --Ruth. iii.
                                                    2.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To sift, as for the purpose of separating falsehood from
        truth; to separate, as bad from good.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Winnow well this thought, and you shall find
              This light as chaff that flies before the wind.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To beat with wings, or as with wings.[Poetic]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Now on the polar winds; then with quick fan
              Winnows the buxom air.                --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Winnowing \Win"now*ing\, n.
     The act of one who, or that which, winnows.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  winnowing
       n : the act of separating grain from chaff; "the winnowing was
           done by women" [syn: {winnow}, {sifting}]