winnow
[ win-oh ]
/ ˈwɪn oʊ /
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to free grain from chaff by wind or driven air.
to fly with flapping wings; flutter.
noun
a device or contrivance used for winnowing.
an act of winnowing.
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Origin of winnow
OTHER WORDS FROM winnow
win·now·er, nounun·win·nowed, adjectiveWords nearby winnow
winnipeg couch, winnipegger, winnipegosis, winnipesaukee, winnock, winnow, winny, wino, winona, winslet, winslow
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for winnow
British Dictionary definitions for winnow
winnow
/ (ˈwɪnəʊ) /
verb
to separate (grain) from (chaff) by means of a wind or current of air
(tr) to examine in order to select the desirable elements
(tr) archaic to beat (the air) with wings
(tr) rare to blow upon; fan
noun
- a device for winnowing
- the act or process of winnowing
Derived forms of winnow
winnower, nounWord Origin for winnow
Old English windwian; related to Old High German wintōn, Gothic diswinthjan, Latin ventilāre. See wind 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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