Wordnet 3.0
VERB (1)
1. 
 dismiss from consideration or a contest; 
- Example: "John was ruled out as a possible suspect because he had a strong alibi"- Example: "This possibility can be eliminated from our consideration"[syn: rule out, eliminate, winnow out, reject]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
winnow out
    v 1: dismiss from consideration or a contest; "John was ruled
         out as a possible suspect because he had a strong alibi";
         "This possibility can be eliminated from our consideration"
         [syn: rule out, eliminate, winnow out, reject]