Definitions for winnow

• Definition
• Anagrams (33)

winnow win·now

Spelling: [win-oh]

IPA: /ˈwɪn oʊ/

Winnow is a 6 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 12 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 14 points.

You can make 33 anagrams from letters in winnow (innoww).

Definitions for winnow

noun

1. a device or contrivance used for winnowing.
2. an act of winnowing.

verb (used with object)

1. to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., especially by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities.
2. to drive or blow (chaff, dirt, etc.) away by fanning.
3. to blow upon; fan.
4. to subject to some process of separating or distinguishing; analyze critically; sift:
5. to separate or distinguish (valuable from worthless parts) (sometimes followed by out):
6. to pursue (a course) with flapping wings in flying.
7. to fan or stir (the air) as with the wings in flying.

verb (used without object)

1. to free grain from chaff by wind or driven air.
2. to fly with flapping wings; flutter.

Origin of winnow

before 900; Middle English win(d)wen (v.), Old English windwian, derivative of wind wind¹

Examples for winnow

I winnow him; and if nothing but chaff results, whose fault is that?

As in dry Sahara, when the winds waken, and lift and winnow the immensity of sand!

Would you winnow a whole peck of chaff for only three good grains?

Come, friend, let us go and winnow the grain from the chaff.

Water is then poured over her head three times through the winnow.

These had lived there so long as to be able to winnow the chaff and throw the refuse off.

He has sown, but he has also to reap; and if reaping is done, he has to thresh and to winnow.

I wash out the sand, and pick out the gold; winnow away the chaff, and gather up the rich grains.

They crush the corn into meal, and thresh and winnow the beans, and dry the pumpkin for winter use.

This very night he is going to winnow barley on the threshing-floor.