v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Winnowed 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 for winnowing, G. wanne, OHG. wanna. √131. See Wind moving air, and cf. Fan., n., Ventilate. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To separate, and drive off, the chaff from by means of wind; to fan; as, to winnow grain. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ho winnoweth barley to-night in the threshing floor. Ruth. iii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To sift, as for the purpose of separating falsehood from truth; to separate, as bad from good. [ 1913 Webster ]

Winnow well this thought, and you shall find
This light as chaff that flies before the wind. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To beat with wings, or as with wings.[ Poetic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Now on the polar winds; then with quick fan
Winnows the buxom air. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To separate chaff from grain. [ 1913 Webster ]

Winnow not with every wind. Ecclus. v. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, winnows; specifically, a winnowing machine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of one who, or that which, winnows. [ 1913 Webster ]