Winnow

Win"now (wĭn"n?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winnowed (-n?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. √131. See Wind moving air, and cf. Fan., n., Ventilate.]

1. To separate, and drive off, the chaff from by means of wind; to fan; as, to winnow grain.

Ho winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing floor.

2. To sift, as for the purpose of separating falsehood from truth; to separate, as bad from good.

Winnow well this thought, and you shall find
This light as chaff that flies before the wind.

3. To beat with wings, or as with wings.[Poetic]

Now on the polar winds; then with quick fan
Winnows the buxom air.

Win"now (?), v. i. To separate chaff from grain.

Winnow not with every wind.