[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/sift/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / sift

# sift

verb (sift, sifts, sifted, sifting)

«sift» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To shake flour or sand through a sieve to break up lumps or remove bits. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#m1)
2. To look through many things carefully to find what is useful: sift through the evidence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#m2)
3. To sift can also mean to fall lightly and finely, like fine rain or dust. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#m3)

### In the lessons

In cooking and science, sifting separates mixtures: sift sand to remove stones. In stories, detectives sift through clues. Phrases: sift flour, sift through.

### Examples

- Sift the flour into the bowl. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#x1)
- We sifted the sand to find shells. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#x2)
- The detective sifted through the papers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#x3)
- Sifting removes lumps. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#x4)
- Sift the soil to take out the stones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#x5)
- She sifted through hundreds of photos. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#x6)
- Dey wa'n't no rain, but de wet des sifted down; mighty raw day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: sifted. Tool: sieve (say «siv»), sifter. Science: sifting/sieving separates solids of different sizes.

## In Jewish tradition

To shake and sort, as a picture of God testing or judging people and nations.

**Interpretation.** Ecclesiastes says God sorts people to show them how weak they are. Amos reads it as the exile of Israel, where the good grain is kept safe.

### Examples

- I said in my heart: 'It is because of the sons of men, that God may sift them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.' (Writings ECC.3.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sift/#x1)
- For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. (Prophets AMO.9.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sift/#x2)
- And His breath is as an overflowing stream, that divideth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples. (Prophets ISA.30.28, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sift/#x3)

### Note

Regular verb: sifted. Tool: sieve (say «siv»), sifter. Science: sifting/sieving separates solids of different sizes.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sift» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sift/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sift» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sift.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «sift» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sift/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sift» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/sift.html) on Mova free.