Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WIN'NOW, v.t. [L. evanno, from vannus, a fan; D. and G. wannen; from the root of fan and wind. The Sax. has windwian, to wind.]

1. To separate and drive off the chaff from grain by means of wind. Grain is winnowed by a fan, or by a machine, or by pouring it out of a vessel in a current of air.
2. To fan; to beat as with wings. – Milton.
3. To examine; to sift for the purpose of separating falsehood from truth. Winnow well this thought. – Dryden.
4. To separate, as the bad from the good. – Shak.