sift
Separate the fine
Sift originally describes passing dry ingredients like flour through a mesh sieve to remove lumps and aerate the material.
This physical action of separating finer particles from coarser ones extends to any careful sorting process: detectives sift through evidence, researchers sift data for patterns, and beachcombers sift sand for shells.
To sift something out is to identify and remove it from a larger mass.
We spent hours sifting through old photos looking for the right one.
Toothed grooming implement
- scourClean by hard rubbing
- rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
- huntPursuit of quarry
- sortMethod of ordering
pore · browse · winnow · filter · results · keywords · query · data
Study with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- evaluateDetermine value or quality
- sortMethod of ordering
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
data · information · clues · facts · details · findings · documents · records
To set apart
- screenDisplay or barrier
- strainExcessive stretching force
- meshInterlocking open weave
- debrisScattered broken fragments
sediment · particulate · pan · gravel · sand · soil · colander · riddle
Act of unearthing
- trowelFlat blade for spreading
- digUnearth by shoveling
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- potsherdsFragments of broken ceramics
soil · sediment · screen · finds · fragments · shards · site · layer
Milled grain powder
- strainerPerforated draining vessel
- bakingCooking with dry heat
- powderedCrushed to fine particles
- confectionersMakers of candy
cocoa · cornstarch · aerate · dough · cake · pastry · ingredients · mesh
comb
Toothed grooming implement
sort · pore · browse · winnow · filter · results · keywords · query · data · mining
examine
Study with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- evaluateDetermine value or quality
- sortMethod of ordering
evidence · data · information · clues · facts · details · findings · documents · records · reports
separate
To set apart
debris · sediment · particulate · pan · gravel · sand · soil · colander · riddle · chaff
excavation
Act of unearthing
potsherds · soil · sediment · screen · finds · fragments · shards · site · layer · dirt
flour
Milled grain powder
confectioners · cocoa · cornstarch · aerate · dough · cake · pastry · ingredients · mesh · fine
truth
Accordance with reality
wheat · chaff · signal · noise · genuine · false · reliable · unreliable · worthy · unworthy
siftcombine
Merge, or harvesting machine
mix · blend · merge · join · amalgamate
siftdump
Waste disposal site
lump together · save · hoard · amass · accumulate
siftsynthesize
Combine into unified whole
combine · consolidate · aggregate · unify · integrate
- sift throughExamine methodically for findings
- sift outRemove by filtering
- sifting throughExamining carefully to sort
- sifted throughExamined methodically for selection
- sifted outRemoved through careful sorting
- flour sifterMesh tool for baking powder
sifter, sifting, sifts, sifted, sifters, unsifted, siftings, resifted, siftable