n. & v.
n. a utensil having a perforated or meshed bottom for separating solids or coarse material from liquids or fine particles, or for reducing a soft solid to a fine pulp.
v.tr. 1 put through or sift with a sieve. 2 examine (evidence etc.) to select or separate. head like a sieve colloq. a memory that retains little. sievelike adj.
[ OE sife f. WG ]