Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sift
Sift
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Sifted
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sifting
.] 1.
To separate with a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse;
as, to
sift
meal or flour; to sift
powder; to sift
sand or lime.2.
To separate or part as if with a sieve.
When yellow sands are
The glittering billows give a golden show.
sifted
from below,The glittering billows give a golden show.
Dryden.
3.
To examine critically or minutely; to scrutinize.
Sifting
the very utmost sentence and syllable. Hooker.
Opportunity I here have had
To try thee,
To try thee,
sift
thee. Milton.
Let him but narrowly
sift
his ideas. I. Taylor.
To sift out
, to search out with care, as if by sifting.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sift
SIFT
, v.t.1.
To separate by a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime.2.
To separate; to part.3.
To examine minutely or critically; to scrutinize. Let the principles of the party be thoroughly sifted. We have sifted your objections.