King James Bible Dictionary

SIFT, verb transitive

1. To separate by a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime.

2. To separate; to part.

3. To examine minutely or critically; to scrutinize. Let the principles of the party be thoroughly sifted. We have sifted your objections.

SIFT'ED, participle passive Separated by a sieve; purified from the coarser parts; critically examined.

SIFT'ER, noun One that sifts; that which sifts; a sieve.

SIFT'ING, participle present tense Separating the finer from the coarser parts; critically examining.