The Clue
Examined closely (6 letter answer)
The Answer
SIFTED
Tags
Notes
The answer SIFTED is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 1200 puzzles.
Related Clues
Sprinkled
Combed (through)
Examined and filtered
Searched (through)
Used a colander
Went (through)
Did some beachcombing
Examined thoroughly, with "through"
Like cookie flour
Went through carefully, as clues
Definition
SIFT as a verb:
1. move as if through a sieve; "The soldiers sifted through the woods"
2. (sift, sieve, strain) = separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements; "sift the flour"
3. (sieve, sift) = check and sort carefully; "sift the information"
4. (sieve, sift) = distinguish and separate out; "sift through the job candidates"