WINNOW OUT Meaning and
Definition
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The phrase "winnow out" refers to the act of carefully selecting or eliminating by means of an extensive examination or rigorous testing process. It is commonly used to describe the action of separating the useful or desired elements from the unwanted or irrelevant ones, thereby refining or purifying a particular set of items, people, or ideas.
In a literal sense, winnowing is an ancient agricultural technique that involves separating the wheat grains from the chaff or husks by tossing them into the air and allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff while the heavier grains fall back down. Metaphorically, "winnow out" operates similarly, symbolizing the process of sorting through a mass of information, options, or individuals to identify the most valuable or suitable ones.
When applied in practical terms, "winnowing out" often implies a deliberate and meticulous evaluation or selection procedure aimed at narrowing down a large pool of choices or candidates. For example, in a job recruitment scenario, a company may decide to winnow out applicants by conducting multiple rounds of interviews, tests, and assessments to identify the most competent and qualified individuals for a particular position.
Overall, "winnow out" encompasses the idea of conducting an intense and careful examination in order to separate the wheat from the chaff, or, figuratively speaking, the valuable from the worthless. It denotes a deliberate process of refinement and purification, allowing for a more refined and focused final selection.
Common Misspellings for WINNOW OUT
- qinnow out
- ainnow out
- sinnow out
- einnow out
- 3innow out
- 2innow out
- wunnow out
- wjnnow out
- wknnow out
- wonnow out
- w9nnow out
- w8nnow out
- wibnow out
- wimnow out
- wijnow out
- wihnow out
- winbow out
- winmow out
- winjow out
- winhow out
Etymology of WINNOW OUT
The word "winnow out" is a phrase that combines two separate words, "winnow" and "out", both of which have their own distinct etymologies.
The word "winnow" dates back to Old English, where it was originally written as "windwian" or "windan". It derives from the Proto-Germanic word "winthan", which means to separate the wheat from the chaff by means of a wind draft. This process involves tossing grain into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff while the heavier grains fall back down. Over time, "winnow" extended its meaning to metaphorically represent the act of separating or sifting out the undesirable or valuable aspects of something.
The word "out" has origins in Old English as well, where it was spelled as "ūt".
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