winnow Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of separating grain from chaff
    sifting; winnowing.
    • the winnowing was done by women
  2. verb separate the chaff from by using air currents
    fan.
    • She stood there winnowing chaff all day in the field
  3. verb blow on
    • The wind was winnowing her hair
    • the wind winnowed the grass
  4. verb select desirable parts from a group or list
    cull out.
    • cull out the interesting letters from the poet's correspondence
    • winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants
  5. verb blow away or off with a current of air
    • winnow chaff

WordNet


Win"now intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To separate chaff from grain.
    Winnow not with every wind. Ecclus. v. 9.

Webster 1913