Sift

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: σινιάζω (Strong'S #4617 — Verb — siniazo — )

"to winnow, sift" (sinion, "a sieve"), is used figuratively in  Luke 22:31 .

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. t.) To separate with a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal or flour; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime.

(2): ( v. t.) To examine critically or minutely; to scrutinize.

(3): ( v. t.) To separate or part as if with a sieve.

King James Dictionary

Sift,

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