sift etymology

Etymology

The word "sift" comes from the Middle English word "siften," which in turn comes from the Old English word "siftan," meaning "to separate or purify." The word "siftan" is thought to be derived from the Proto-Germanic root *sikta-, which also gave rise to the words "sieve" and "sect."

Meaning

The primary meaning of "sift" is to separate or purify by passing through a sieve or screen. It can also be used figuratively to mean to examine or scrutinize closely.

Origin

The word "sift" has been used in English since the 13th century. It is a member of the Germanic word family that includes the words "sieve," "sect," and "sacker."

Examples

• The farmer sifted the wheat to remove the chaff.
• The committee sifted through the applications to find the most qualified candidates.
• The detective sifted through the evidence to find the killer.

sift relate terms

• sieve

  Etymology Middle English sife from Old English sife a sifter Old English sife is pos

• soap

  Etymology The word soap derives from the Old English word sāpe pronounced sah peh

• sift

  Etymology The word sift comes from the Middle English word siften which in turn come

• sifter

  Etymology The word sifter originates from two sources Old English siftan or sif

• sift

  Etymology The word sift comes from the Middle English word siften which in turn come

• strain

  Etymology Old French estreindre Latin stringere Proto Indo European strenk

• garble

  Etymology Middle English garbelen from Anglo French garbeler from Old French garbel

• concern

  Etymology Old French concerner to belong to concern Latin contingere to happen o

• discern

  Etymology Origin Latin Root Word Discernere Meaning To see apart to distinguish Me

• scarification

  Etymology Anglo French escarification 14th century Medieval Latin scarificatio Lati

• pour

  Etymology Pour comes from the Middle English word poren which is ultimately derived

• scarify

  Etymology The verb scarify derives ultimately from Greek σκᾰ́ριφος skariphos

• canvas

  Etymology The word canvas originates from the Old French word canevas which itself

• travel

  Etymology The English word travel derives from the Old French word travailler which

• examine

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It involves trac