winnowing

(noun) the act of separating grain from chaff. Synonyms: winnow, sifting. Example: "The winnowing was done by women."

(verb) separate the chaff from by using air currents. Synonyms: winnow, fan. Example: "She stood there winnowing chaff all day in the field."

(verb) blow on. Synonyms: winnow. Examples: "The wind was winnowing her hair." "The wind winnowed the grass."

(verb) select desirable parts from a group or list. Synonyms: cull out, winnow. Examples: "Cull out the interesting letters from the poet's correspondence." "Winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants."

(verb) blow away or off with a current of air. Synonyms: winnow. Example: "Winnow chaff."