winnowing-machine
Noun: A winnowing-machine is a device used in agriculture to separate grain from chaff by means of a current of air. It mechanically performs the traditional process of winnowing, where lighter impurities are blown away, leaving the heavier grain behind.
- (A device to separate grain from chaff.)
- (A mechanical alternative to manual winnowing.)
"to operate a winnowing-machine": to use the device for its intended purpose.
- She learned how to operate the winnowing-machine during the summer harvest. (To control the machine during the separation process.)
"winnowing-machine technology": the engineering and design principles behind such devices.
- Modern winnowing-machine technology uses adjustable fans for greater efficiency. (The technical aspects of the machine.)
- Winnowing (n or adj): the act or process of separating grain from chaff.
- The winnowing was done by hand before the machine was invented. (The manual process.)
- Winnow (v): to separate grain from chaff, or to separate the valuable from the worthless.
- He used a fan to winnow the wheat. (To perform the separation action.)
- Machine (n): a device with moving parts that uses power to perform a task.
- The winnowing-machine is a specialized type of machine. (A general term for mechanical devices.)
Fanning mill: a specific type of winnowing-machine that uses a fan to create airflow.
- The old fanning mill was replaced by a modern winnowing-machine. (A synonym for the device.)
Grain separator: a broader term for any device that separates grain from impurities.
- A winnowing-machine is a type of grain separator. (A more general category.)
Winnow the wheat from the chaff: a metaphorical phrase meaning to separate the valuable from the worthless.
- In his research, he had to winnow the wheat from the chaff to find the best data. (To separate good from bad.)
Blow away the chaff: to remove useless or inferior parts.
- The manager's job was to blow away the chaff and focus on key employees. (To eliminate the less important elements.)
- Winnow out: to remove or separate by a process of selection.
- The committee will winnow out the weakest applications. (To eliminate the less suitable candidates.)