winnow
\ WIN-oh \ , verb;
1.to separate or distinguish (valuable from worthless parts) (sometimes followed by out ): to winnow falsehood from truth .
2.to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., especially by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities.
3.to drive or blow (chaff, dirt, etc.) away by fanning.
4.to blow upon; fan.
5.to subject to some process of separating or distinguishing; analyze critically; sift: to winnow a mass of statements .
6.to pursue (a course) with flapping wings in flying.
7.to fan or stir (the air) as with the wings in flying.
Quotes:
Whoever decides to crash the unabridged dictionary game next--and it will probably be General Motors or Ford--they will winnow this work heartlessly for bloopers.
-- Kurt Vonnegut, “The Latest Word,” New York Times , October 30, 1966
A six-man jury, working four days, winnowed the colossal collection down to the "happy few" now on exhibit.
-- "Colossal Collection of Art," Life , January 27, 1958
Origin:
Winnow comes from the Old English term windwian , which means "to fan." It entered English before 900.
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