/sift/ , v.t.
1. to separate and retain the coarse parts of (flour, ashes, etc.) with a sieve.
2. to scatter or sprinkle through or by means of a sieve: to sift sugar onto cake.
3. to separate by or as if by a sieve.
4. to examine closely: The detectives are still sifting the evidence.
5. to question closely.
v.i.
6. to sift something.
7. to pass or fall through or as if through a sieve.
[ bef. 900; ME siften, OE siftan; c. D, MLG siften; akin to SIEVE ]
Syn. 4. sort, scrutinize, inspect, search, probe.