winnows
Sorts wheat out
Winnows is the third-person singular of winnow—to separate grain from chaff by exposing it to wind or air current.
The lighter chaff blows away while the heavier grain falls.
Figuratively, to winnow is to sift through something to separate what's valuable from what isn't: The editor winnows submissions down to a manageable pile.
To winnow out is to remove the unwanted portion.
Protective seed coverings
- grainCereal plant's harvest unit
- wheatCereal crop for flour
- harvestGathering mature crops
- huskDry seed covering
flail · sickle · threshing · bran · straw · reaping · glean · farmer
Separate coarse from fine
- sieveMesh filtering utensil
- screenDisplay or barrier
- filterPorous separation device
- strainExcessive stretching force
colander · mesh · separate · sort · pan · riddle · bolter · scalp
Make keener or better
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- distillPurify through vaporization
- clarifyMake something understandable
- streamlineRemove unnecessary elements
concentrate · purify · reduce · condense · extract · essence · whittle · trim
Selective removal
- selectCarefully pick from options
- chooseSelect from alternatives
- pickPointed breaking tool
- discriminateTreat unequally based on category
distinguish · differentiate · sort · screen · weed · eliminate · narrow · pare
chaff
Protective seed coverings
husk · flail · sickle · threshing · bran · straw · reaping · glean · farmer · field
sift
Separate coarse from fine
strain · colander · mesh · separate · sort · pan · riddle · bolter · scalp · grate
hone
Make keener or better
streamline · concentrate · purify · reduce · condense · extract · essence · whittle · trim · prune
cull
Selective removal
discriminate · distinguish · differentiate · sort · screen · weed · eliminate · narrow · pare · handpick
winnowsgathers
Accumulates or collects
collects · accumulates · amasses · aggregates · heaps
winnowsexpands
Increases in volume
bulks up · inflates · pads · adulterates · dilutes
winnowscombines
Merges multiple into one
merges · mixes · blends · amalgamates · consolidates