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sift

 - 3 dictionary results

sift

  [sift]
Use sift in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to separate and retain the coarse parts of (flour, ashes, etc.) with a sieve.
2. to scatter or sprinkle through or by means of a sieve: to sift sugar onto cake.
3. to separate by or as if by a sieve.
4. to examine closely: The detectives are still sifting the evidence.
5. to question closely.
–verb (used without object)
6. to sift something.
7. to pass or fall through or as if through a sieve.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME siften, OE siftan; c. D, MLG siften; akin to sieve

Synonyms:
4. sort, scrutinize, inspect, search, probe.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sift
sift   (sĭft)   
v.   sift·ed, sift·ing, sifts

v.   tr.

  1. To put (flour, for example) through a sieve or other straining device in order to separate the fine from the coarse particles.

  2. To distinguish as if separating with a sieve: sifted the candidates for the job.

  3. To apply by scattering with or as if with a sieve: sift sugar on a dessert.

  4. To examine and sort carefully: sift the evidence.

v.   intr.

  1. To make use of a sieve.

  2. To pass through or as if through a sieve: a meal that sifts easily.

  3. To make a careful examination: sifted through back issues of the magazine.


[Middle English siften, from Old English siftan.]
sift'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Computing Dictionary

SIFT
SHARE Internal Fortran Translator. Translation utility designed for converting Fortran II to Fortran IV. The word "sift" was often used as a verb to describe converting code from one language to another. Sammet 1969, p.153.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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