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Sifter: meaning, definitions and examples

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sifter

 

[ ˈsɪftər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

cooking tool

A sifter is a kitchen tool used to separate and break up clumps in dry ingredients such as flour, as well as to combine them with air. It commonly consists of a mesh screen that allows fine particles to pass through while retaining larger lumps. Sifters are essential for achieving a smooth texture in many baking recipes.

Synonyms

mesh, screen, sieve, strainer

Examples of usage

  • She used a sifter to aerate the flour before mixing.
  • To prevent lumps, always sift powdered sugar.
  • The recipe instructed to sifter dry ingredients together.

Translations

Translations of the word "sifter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 peneira

🇮🇳 छानने वाला

🇩🇪 Sieb

🇮🇩 saringan

🇺🇦 сито

🇵🇱 sito

🇯🇵 ふるい

🇫🇷 tamiseur

🇪🇸 tamiz

🇹🇷 elek

🇰🇷 체

🇸🇦 منخل

🇨🇿 sítko

🇸🇰 sitko

🇨🇳 筛子

🇸🇮 sito

🇮🇸 sía

🇰🇿 сито

🇬🇪 გაფილტრი

🇦🇿 süzgəc

🇲🇽 colador

Etymology

The word 'sifter' originates from the Middle English term 'siften,' meaning 'to sift or separate.' This term is derived from the Old English 'siftan,' which reflects the action of passing something through a sieve. The concept of sifting has been present in various cooking practices for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations that recognized the importance of separating fine particles from coarser ones to improve the quality of food items. Over time, the sifter evolved into various designs, with different mesh sizes catering to specific types of ingredients, solidifying its place as an essential tool in both home and professional kitchens. Its usage has expanded beyond baking, finding applications in cooking processes that require a refined texture, such as spice milling or creating fine powders.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,422 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.