cerner

to sift

cerner(sehr-nehr)

transitive verb

1. (to strain)

a. to sift

Puedes usar este colador de malla fina para cerner la harina para el pastel.

You could use this fine mesh colander to sift the flour for the cake.

b. to sieve

Los niños cernieron arena buscando piedrecillas y caracoles.

The kids sieved sand looking for little rocks and seashells.

cernerse

pronominal verb

2. (to float over; often used with "sobre")

a. to hover

El águila se cernió sobre la laguna, y de repente atrapó un pez con sus garras.

The eagle hovered over the lake and suddenly caught a fish in its claws.

3. (to threaten; often used with "sobre")

a. to loom

La amenaza de un terrible huracán se cernía sobre los habitantes de la isla.

The threat of a major hurricane loomed over the inhabitants of the island.

b. to hang

El temor de la violencia electoral se cierne sobre la ciudad.

The fear of election violence hangs over the city.