Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

winnowing fan

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.02 in modern English

Syllables: win-now-ing -fan
IPA

22

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A specially shaped winnowing basket, in which grain is shaken in the process of winnowing, with the shape of the basket allowing the chaff to spill out more readily.

noun

Any fan device, including those electrically powered, used in winnowing.

Example Sentences

"The wind is the natural winnower, but man can help the wind by exposing the mixed chaff and grain. This he throws up on the winnowing fan against the wind, the wind blows away the chaff and the heavier grain falls to the ground. The best instrument with which to do this is naturally an oar-like pole, broadened at the end to serve as a shovel. Such an instrument was the πτύον (ptúon) or winnowing fan."

Inflected Forms

winnowing fans (plural)

Phrases

winnowing basket winnowing shovel winnowing fork winnowing machine

Frequently Paired Words

winnowing basket winnowing shovel winnowing fork winnowing machine winnower

Questions

What does winnowing fan mean?: A specially shaped winnowing basket, in which grain is shaken in the process of winnowing, with the shape of the basket allowing the chaff to spill out more readily.

How to pronounce winnowing fan

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