Definition of the word winnow out

The word "winnow out" originates from the Old English word "winan," which means "to keep" or "preserve." The term was used to describe the process of separating grains from chaff (the light stalks and husks that surround grains) after threshing (the process of removing grains from their stalks). The original method of winnowing involved placing the grain and chaff mixture in a tray or basket and throwing it into the wind. The lighter chaff would be blown away, leaving the denser grains behind. This technique, known as wind-winnowing, was a crucial step in the process of turning harvested grains into usable flour or meal. Over time, the term "winnow out" came to mean the process of separating unwanted elements from a larger group or population. Just as the wind blew away the chaff, leaving only the desired grain behind, "winnowing out" removes inferior or unnecessary items, leaving only what is essential or desirable. Today, the term is still commonly used in various contexts, from business and finance to education and science, to indicate the process of separating and discarding the undesirable elements from a larger group or population.