sieve

Definition

A sieve is a tool used to separate mixtures. It has a mesh with holes that are small enough to let some of the materials through, but not others.

Sieves are used in many different ways. They can be used to separate flour from bran, to separate sand from gravel, and to separate coffee grounds from water.

Sieves can be made of different materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood. The size of the holes in the mesh can also vary, depending on what the sieve is being used for.

To use a sieve, you simply pour the mixture onto the sieve and shake it gently. The materials that are too big to fit through the holes will fall into the bowl below the sieve, while the smaller materials will pass through the sieve.

How can the word be used?

The cook used a sieve to strain the soup.

Different forms of the word

Noun:

a utensil with a perforated bottom, used for separating solids from liquids or for separating fine particles from coarser ones.

Verb:

to pass something through a sieve.
to separate something into its component parts.

Etymology

The word "sieve" comes from the Middle English word "sif", which comes from the Old English word "sifan", which means "to sift".

The first recorded use of the word "sieve" in English was in the 11th century.

The word "sieve" is an Old English word, and it is related to the Dutch word "zeef" and the German word "Sieb".

Question

What is a sieve?