Winnow has 7 different meanings across 2 categories:
Noun
· Verb
Noun
1
the act of separating grain from chaff
"the winnowing was done by women"
2
That which winnows or which is used in winnowing; a contrivance for fanning or winnowing grain.
Verb
1
separate the chaff from grain by using air currents
"She stood there winnowing grain all day in the field"
2
blow on
"The wind was winnowing her hair"
"the wind winnowed the grass"
3
select desirable parts from a group or list
"cull out the interesting letters from the poet's correspondence"
"winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants"
4
blow away or off with a current of air
"winnow chaff"
"The speaker ceased to be an amusing little gnat to be fanned away and was kicked off the forum"
5
To subject (granular material, especially food grain) to a current of air separating heavier and lighter components, as grain from chaff.
Example Sentences
"the winnowing was done by women"
noun
"She stood there winnowing grain all day in the field"
verb
"The wind was winnowing her hair"
verb
"the wind winnowed the grass"
verb
"cull out the interesting letters from the poet's correspondence"
verb
"winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants"
verb
"winnow chaff"
verb
"The speaker ceased to be an amusing little gnat to be fanned away and was kicked off the forum"
verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)