sieve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
    screen.
  2. verb examine in order to test suitability
    sort; screen; screen out.
    • screen these samples
    • screen the job applicants
  3. verb check and sort carefully
    sift.
    • sift the information
  4. verb separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
    strain; sift.
    • sift the flour
  5. verb distinguish and separate out
    sift.
    • sift through the job candidates

WordNet

Sieve noun
Etymology
OE. sive, AS. sife; akin to D. zeef, zift, OHG. sib, G. sieb. a. Cf. Sift.
Definitions
  1. A utensil for separating the finer and coarser parts of a pulverized or granulated substance from each other. It consist of a vessel, usually shallow, with the bottom perforated, or made of hair, wire, or the like, woven in meshes. "In a sieve thrown and sifted." Chaucer.
  2. A kind of coarse basket. Simmonds.

Webster 1913