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.
Phrases and idioms:
head like a sieve colloq. a memory that retains little.
Derivatives:
sievelike adj.
Etymology: OE sife f. WG