sieve
[ siv ]
/ sɪv /
noun
an instrument with a meshed or perforated bottom, used for separating coarse from fine parts of loose matter, for straining liquids, etc., especially one with a circular frame and fine meshes or perforations.
a person who cannot keep a secret.
verb (used with or without object), sieved, siev·ing.
to put or force through a sieve; sift.
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Origin of sieve
OTHER WORDS FROM sieve
sievelike, adjectiveun·sieved, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for sieve
His part is to attend the sacking of the three kinds of grain for ever sieving out.
The Complete Essays of John Galsworthy|John GalsworthyIn that outhouse a group of dark divinities are engaged in the difficult process of sieving and sorting.
The Pearl of the Antilles, or An Artist in Cuba|Walter GoodmanThe trouble in sieving gravel is that if the sieve be filled to its capacity the shaking soon becomes tiring.
The Foundations of Japan|J.W. Robertson Scott
British Dictionary definitions for sieve
sieve
/ (sɪv) /
noun
a device for separating lumps from powdered material, straining liquids, grading particles, etc, consisting of a container with a mesh or perforated bottom through which the material is shaken or poured
rare a person who gossips and spreads secrets
memory like a sieve or head like a sieve a very poor memory
verb
to pass or cause to pass through a sieve
(tr often foll by out) to separate or remove (lumps, materials, etc) by use of a sieve
Derived forms of sieve
sievelike, adjectiveWord Origin for sieve
Old English sife; related to Old Norse sef reed with hollow stalk, Old High German sib sieve, Dutch zeef
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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