Winnow: meaning, definitions and examples
๐พ
winnow
[ หwษชnoส ]
separating grain
Winnow refers to the process of separating the chaff from the grain, typically done after harvesting. It involves using air or a current to remove lighter, unwanted particles, leaving behind the desired product. This term is often used in agricultural contexts, primarily associated with grain processing. In a broader sense, winnowing can also refer to any activity of sifting through information to find valuable insights.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Farmers winnow the harvested wheat to collect clean grain.
- The team worked to winnow down the data to find the most pertinent information.
- After harvest, traditional methods were used to winnow the crop.
selecting options
In a metaphorical sense, winnow can mean to carefully select or choose from a larger set of options. This usage is common in discussions around decision-making processes, where individuals need to sift through various choices to arrive at the best or most relevant ones. This figurative language emphasizes the importance of discernment in choices.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- It's important to winnow your options before making a final decision.
- The committee will winnow the proposals to select the best candidates.
- She winnowed through the suggestions to find the most applicable ones.
Translations
Translations of the word "winnow" in other languages:
๐ต๐น separar
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคพเคจเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช winnow
๐ฎ๐ฉ memisahkan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฒัััะธ
๐ต๐ฑ przesiewaฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ใตใใๅใใ
๐ซ๐ท cribler
๐ช๐ธ cribar
๐น๐ท elemek
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ถ๋ฆฌํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชูููุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ tลรญdit
๐ธ๐ฐ triediลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ็ญ้
๐ธ๐ฎ sitati
๐ฎ๐ธ sรญa
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัาฏะทั
๐ฌ๐ช แฌแงแแแขแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sรผzmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ cribar
Etymology
The word โwinnowโ has its roots in Old English 'windwian', which means 'to fan, to blow'. Its etymological origins can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic *windwลnฤ , which relates to the act of separating grain using the wind. The process of winnowing has been fundamental to agriculture for centuries, particularly in cultures that have relied on grain as a staple food source. Through historical texts, we see the word evolve as various methods of grain processing developed over time, including the use of winnowing forks and machines in modern agricultural practices. The metaphorical use of 'winnow' to describe the act of selecting or filtering information gained traction in the late 20th century, as information became more abundant in the digital age.