Sieve
/sɪv/
Definitions
2 meaningsA device with a mesh or perforated bottom, used for separating finer particles from coarser ones or for straining liquids.
/sɪv/
A utensil for separating solids from liquids or coarse from fine particles.
The chef used a fine sieve to strain the sauce.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making juice, and you don't want the seeds! A sieve is like a strainer with lots of little holes that lets the juice go through but keeps the seeds behind.
👶 For kids: A sieve is like a colander, but with tiny holes to let water or juice go through but keeps the seeds or bits from getting in.
More Examples
The archaeologist carefully sifted the soil through a sieve.
The flour was passed through a sieve to remove any lumps.
How It's Used
"She used a sieve to strain the berries and remove the seeds."
"Archaeologists use sieves to sift through soil for artifacts."
To put (a substance) through a sieve to separate finer particles from coarser ones.
/sɪv/
To pass (something) through a sieve.
Sieve the icing sugar to prevent clumps.
💡 Simply: When you sieve, you're using a sieve to separate things. For instance, you might sieve flour to get rid of any lumps, or you might sieve a bunch of information to find the most important parts.
👶 For kids: When you sieve something, you're using a sieve (like a strainer) to get the small bits out and leave the big bits behind.
More Examples
The cook sieves the soup to make it smooth.
The data was sieved for relevant information.
How It's Used
"Sieve the flour to remove any lumps."
"The journalist sieves through the information to find the truth."
Idioms & expressions
like a sieve
Unable to retain information; forgetful.
"His memory is like a sieve; he always forgets what he's told."
From Old English *sife*, related to Dutch *zeef* and German *Sieb*, all deriving from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to strain' or 'to filter'.
The term 'sieve' has been used in English since the early Middle Ages, reflecting the importance of grain processing and cooking in that period.
Memory tip
Think of a kitchen tool with tiny holes that lets liquids pass through.