sift

To put (flour, for example) through a sieve in order to separate the fine from the coarse particles.

To distinguish as if separating with a sieve.

To apply by scattering through a sieve.

To examine and sort carefully.

To make use of a sieve.

To pass through a sieve.

To make a careful examination.

To cause the finer parts of to pass through a sieve; part or separate the larger and smaller elements of, by shaking in a sieve; bolt: as, to sift meal, powder, sand, or lime; to sift the flour from the bran.

To pass or shake through or from anything in the manner of a sieve; pour out or stir up loosely, like particles falling from a sieve: as, to sift sand through the fingers; to sift sugar upon a cake.

To act upon or about as if by means of a sieve; examine with close scrutiny; subject to minute analysis: used with a great variety of applications: sometimes with out: as, to sift the good from the bad; to sift out the truth of the matter; to sift a proposition.