sieve

Everyday

1. A sieve is a kitchen tool with a fine net or many small holes, used to separate small bits from big bits, or solids from liquid. tree →
2. To sieve means to put something through a sieve. tree →
3. «A memory like a sieve» means you forget things easily. tree →

In the lessons

In science, sieving is a way of separating mixtures: sand from gravel, flour lumps from fine flour, peas from water; it works because some pieces are smaller than the holes and some are bigger. In cooking, you sieve flour for cakes and drain pasta. In maths history, the «Sieve of Eratosthenes» finds prime numbers by crossing out multiples. Phrases: through a sieve, sieve the flour, a memory like a sieve.

Examples

• Sieve the flour into the bowl so the cake is light. tree →
• We used a sieve to separate the sand from the stones. tree →
• Pour the peas into the sieve to drain the water. tree →
• Salt dissolved in water cannot be separated with a sieve. tree →
• The Sieve of Eratosthenes helps us find prime numbers. tree →
• I have a memory like a sieve — I forgot my PE kit again. tree →
• Gold miners used to sieve river gravel to find gold. tree →
• And they said to her, "Take a sieve and bring water in it." tree →

Note

Pronounced «siv». Verb: sieved, sieving (also «sift»). Science trap: a sieve only separates pieces of different sizes; it cannot separate a dissolved solid (salt or sugar in water) — for that you evaporate. A colander is a big sieve with bigger holes.

In Jewish tradition

A tool for sifting grain, used as a picture of God sorting nations or peoples.

Interpretation. In Amos, Israel is scattered among the nations but not one true grain is lost, so God keeps His people even in exile. In Isaiah the sieve is for judging the nations.

Examples

• For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. (Prophets AMO.9.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And His breath is as an overflowing stream, that divideth even unto the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that causeth to err shall be in the jaws of the peoples. (Prophets ISA.30.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Pronounced «siv». Verb: sieved, sieving (also «sift»). Science trap: a sieve only separates pieces of different sizes; it cannot separate a dissolved solid (salt or sugar in water) — for that you evaporate. A colander is a big sieve with bigger holes.