- Winnowed
- Winnow Win"now (w[i^]n"n[-o]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Winnowed}
(w[i^]n"n[-o]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Winnowing}.] [OE. windewen,
winewen, AS. windwian; akin to Goth. winpjan (in comp.),
winpi-skauro a fan, L. ventilare to fan, to winnow; cf. L.
wannus a fan for winnowing, G. wanne, OHG. wanna. [root]131.
See {Wind} moving air, and cf. {Fan}., n., {Ventilate}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. To separate, and drive off, the chaff from by means of
wind; to fan; as, to winnow grain.
[1913 Webster]
Ho winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing floor. --Ruth. iii. 2. [1913 Webster]
2. To sift, as for the purpose of separating falsehood from truth; to separate, as bad from good. [1913 Webster]
Winnow well this thought, and you shall find This light as chaff that flies before the wind. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. To beat with wings, or as with wings.[Poetic] [1913 Webster]
Now on the polar winds; then with quick fan Winnows the buxom air. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.