To put (flour, for example) through a sieve or other straining device in order to separate the fine from the coarse particles.
To distinguish as if separating with a sieve: sifted the candidates for the job.
To apply by scattering with or as if with a sieve: sift sugar on a dessert.
To examine and sort carefully: sift the evidence.
To make use of a sieve.
To pass through or as if through a sieve: a meal that sifts easily.
To make a careful examination: sifted through back issues of the magazine.
[sif-ter] 
(sĭft) 
tər