— winnower , n.
/win"oh/ , v.t.
1. to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., esp. 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: to winnow a mass of statements.
5. to separate or distinguish (valuable from worthless parts) (sometimes fol. by out ): to winnow falsehood from truth.
6. to pursue (a course) with flapping wings in flying.
7. to fan or stir (the air) as with the wings in flying.
v.i.
8. to free grain from chaff by wind or driven air.
9. to fly with flapping wings; flutter.
n.
10. a device or contrivance used for winnowing.
11. an act of winnowing.
[ bef. 900; ME win ( d ) wen (v.), OE windwian, deriv. of wind WIND 1 ]