winnowing

Plural: winnowings

Noun

• the act of separating grain from chaff
  • "the winnowing was done by women"
• The act of separating chaff from grain.

Verb

• separate the chaff from by using air currents
  • "She stood there winnowing chaff all day in the field"
• blow on
  • "The wind was winnowing her hair"
• select desirable parts from a group or list
• blow away or off with a current of air
• present participle and gerund of winnow

Synonyms

cull out, fan, sifting, winnow