Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SIFT, v.t. [Sax. siftan; G. sieben; D. ziften.]

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