Sieve
/siːv/noun
A utensil or device with small holes used to separate finer particles from coarser ones.
Did you know?The word’s deep roots go back to a Proto-Indo-European base meaning “to pour, flow,” so the humble sieve is literally tied to the oldest language of movement and separation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sei-
“to pour, flow, trickle”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*sībaną
“to sift, strain”
Old English
English
sife
“a sieve or strainer”
Middle English
English
sive
“a sieve; a strainer for separating fine from coarse material”
Modern English
English
sieve
“a device with a mesh or perforated bottom used for sifting or straining”