Sifting

Sift Sift, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sifted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sifting}.] [AS. siftan, from sife sieve. [root]151a. See {Sieve}.] 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. [1913 Webster]

2. To separate or part as if with a sieve. [1913 Webster]

When yellow sands are sifted from below, The glittering billows give a golden show. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. To examine critically or minutely; to scrutinize. [1913 Webster]

Sifting the very utmost sentence and syllable. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]

Opportunity I here have had To try thee, sift thee. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Let him but narrowly sift his ideas. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

{To sift out}, to search out with care, as if by sifting. [1913 Webster]