Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In heraldry, same as
winnowing-basket .
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word winnowing-fan.
Examples
-
They have little faith in medicine, and in cases of sickness requisition the aid of the village sorcerer, who ascertains what deity is displeased with them by moving grain to and fro in a winnowing-fan and naming the village gods in turn.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell
-
Among the Birjhias a trunk of mahua with two branches is erected in the marriage-shed, and on this a dagger is placed in a winnowing-fan filled with rice, the former representing the bridegroom and the latter the bride.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell
-
Some rice, cowrie-shells, a winnowing-fan and other articles are placed on the grave.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell
-
When it has become white and fine, it is placed in a kind of linen winnowing-fan, which is kept damp in a peculiar manner.
The Story of Ida Pfeiffer and Her Travels in Many Lands Anonymous
-
But God, when he saw it, was very angry with them, and ordered that they should never be soldiers, but should be given a winnowing-fan and broom to sweep the grain out of the grass and make their livelihood in that way.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell
-
Among the better-class Chamars it is customary to place a newborn child in a winnowing-fan on a bed of rice.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell
-
The tribe probably consider the winnowing-fan to have some magical property, as it also forms one of the presents given to the bride at the betrothal.
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II R. V. Russell
-
In the Salza district, near Meiningen, a certain bone in the pig is called "the Jew on the winnowing-fan."
-
Moreover, among the emblems of Dionysus was the winnowing-fan, that is the large open shovel-shaped basket, which down to modern times has been used by farmers to separate the grain from the chaff by tossing the corn in the air.
-
This simple agricultural instrument figured in the mystic rites of Dionysus; indeed the god is traditionally said to have been placed at birth in a winnowing-fan as in a cradle: in art he is represented as an infant so cradled; and from these traditions and representations he derived the epithet of Liknites, that is, "He of the Winnowing-fan."
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.