Sieve

v. pass through a sieve

n. device of wire mesh or perforated metal (used for straining, sifting, etc.)

In general, a sieve separates wanted/desired elements from unwanted material using a tool such as a mesh, net or other filtration or distillation methods. The word "sift" derives from this term. A strainer is a type of sieve typically associated with separating liquids from solids.
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Noun
1. a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
(synonym) screen
(hypernym) strainer
(hyponym) riddle
(derivation) sift, strain
Verb
1. examine in order to test suitability; "screen these samples"; "screen the job applicants"
(synonym) screen, screen out, sort
(hypernym) choose, take, select, pick out
2. check and sort carefully; "sift the information"
(synonym) sift
(hypernym) analyze, analyse, study, examine, canvass, canvas
3. separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements; "sift the flour"
(synonym) sift, strain
(hypernym) separate
(hyponym) rice
(see-also) sieve out, pick over
(derivation) screen
4. distinguish and separate out; "sift through the job candidates"
(synonym) sift
(hypernym) choose, take, select, pick out

(n.)
A utensil for separating the finer and coarser parts of a pulverized or granulated substance from each other. It consist of a vessel, usually shallow, with the bottom perforated, or made of hair, wire, or the like, woven in meshes.
  

(n.)
A kind of coarse basket.
  

A fine, mesh strainer.