- windwian
- wv/t2 to fan, winnow
Old to modern English dictionary. 2013.
windwian
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Winnow — Win now (w[i^]n n[ o]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Winnowed} (w[i^]n n[ o]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Winnowing}.] [OE. windewen, winewen, AS. windwian; akin to Goth. winpjan (in comp.), winpi skauro a fan, L. ventilare to fan, to winnow; cf. L. wannus a fan… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Winnowed — Winnow Win now (w[i^]n n[ o]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Winnowed} (w[i^]n n[ o]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Winnowing}.] [OE. windewen, winewen, AS. windwian; akin to Goth. winpjan (in comp.), winpi skauro a fan, L. ventilare to fan, to winnow; cf. L. wannus … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Winnowing — Winnow Win now (w[i^]n n[ o]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Winnowed} (w[i^]n n[ o]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Winnowing}.] [OE. windewen, winewen, AS. windwian; akin to Goth. winpjan (in comp.), winpi skauro a fan, L. ventilare to fan, to winnow; cf. L. wannus … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
winnow — I. verb Etymology: Middle English winewen, from Old English windwian to fan, winnow; akin to Old High German wintōn to fan, Latin vannus winnowing fan, ventus wind more at wind Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. (1) to remove (as… … New Collegiate Dictionary
winnow — 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.)… … Universalium
winnow — win|now [ˈwınəu US nou] v also winnow down [: Old English; Origin: windwian] [T] to make a list, group, or quantity smaller by getting rid of the things that you do not need or want = ↑whittle down ▪ We need to winnow the list of candidates to… … Dictionary of contemporary English
winnow — (v.) O.E. windwian, from wind air in motion, paring down, see WIND (Cf. wind) (n.1). Cognate with O.N. vinza, O.H.G. winton to fan, winnow, Goth. diswinþjan to throw (grain) apart, L. vannus winnowing fan … Etymology dictionary
winnow — verb 1》 blow air through (grain) in order to remove the chaff. ↘remove (chaff) from grain. 2》 examine in order to identify the most valuable or useful elements. ↘identify (a valuable or useful element). 3》 literary (of the wind) blow. 4》… … English new terms dictionary
winnow — win•now [[t]ˈwɪn oʊ[/t]] v. t. 1) ahb. to free (grain) of chaff by fanning with wind or a forced current of air 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… … From formal English to slang
winnow — /ˈwɪnoʊ / (say winoh) verb (t) 1. to free (grain, etc.) from chaff, refuse particles, etc., by means of wind or driven air; fan. 2. to blow upon, as the wind does upon grain in this process. 3. to drive or blow (chaff, etc.) away by fanning. 4.… …
