sieve

views updated Jun 11 2018

sieve / siv/ • n. a utensil consisting of a wire or plastic mesh held in a frame, used for straining solids from liquids, for separating coarser from finer particles, or for reducing soft solids to a pulp. ∎  used figuratively with reference to the fact that a sieve does not hold all its contents: she's forgotten all the details already—she's got a mind like a sieve. • v. [tr.] put (a food substance or other material) through a sieve. ∎  [intr.] (sieve through) fig. examine in detail: lawyers had sieved through her contract.DERIVATIVES: sieve·like / -ˌlīk/ adj.

sieve

views updated May 08 2018

sieve A circular-framed container with a meshed base. The mesh size is accurately machined and the sieve will permit the passage only of particles finer than the mesh size.

sieve

views updated May 29 2018

sieve sb. OE. sife = MLG., MDu. seve (Du. zeef), OHG. sib, sip (G. sieb) :- WGmc. *sibi.

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