vt.

1. 筛；过滤
   Gold is sifted from sand.

   金从沙里淘出来。

2. 撒，撒落
   Sift sugar on top of the cake.

   在蛋糕上面撒上糖。

3. 详查，细究
   We sifted the information carefully to find a clue that would help us.

   我们仔细研究资料以便找出对我们有所帮助的线索。

4. 区分；筛选[O][（+out/from）]
   It is important to sift the true from the false in studying history.

   研究历史时去伪存真是很重要的。

vi.

1. 筛；被筛
2. 撒下，飘落
   The dust sifted in through the cracks in the window.

   灰尘从窗户的裂缝里钻了进来。

3. 详查，细究[（+through）]
   She sifted through her purse.

   她仔细翻看自己的钱包。

v.

1. put (a dry substance) through a sieve so as to remove lumps or large particles.
2. cause to flow or pass as through a sieve.
   ▸(of snow, light, etc.) descend lightly or sparsely as if sprinkled through a sieve.
3. examine thoroughly so as to isolate that which is most important.

n.