sieve

1. A device with a mesh, grate, or otherwise perforated bottom to separate, in a granular material, larger particles from smaller ones, or to separate solid objects from a liquid. · Near-synonyms: sifter, strainer, temse· Use the sieve to get the pasta from the water.
2. One of several techniques for counting integers. · Given a list of consecutive numbers starting at 1, the Sieve of Eratosthenes algorithm will find all of the prime numbers.
3. A collection of morphisms in a category whose codomain is a certain fixed object of that category, which collection is closed under precomposition by any morphism in the category.
4. A person, or their mind, that cannot remember things or is unable to keep secrets. (colloquial)
5. An intern who lets too many non-serious cases into the emergency room. (colloquial, slang)

Plural sieves