~ 1 [ tʃα:f , tʃaf ]
■ noun
1》 the husks of grain or other seed separated by winnowing or threshing.
↘chopped hay and straw used as fodder.
2》 strips of metal foil released in the air to obstruct radar detection.
Phrases
separate (or sort ) the wheat from the ~ distinguish valuable people or things from worthless ones.
Origin
OE cæf , ceaf , prob. from a Gmc base meaning 'gnaw'; related to chafer .
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~ 2 [ tʃα:f , tʃaf ]
■ noun light-hearted joking.
■ verb tease (someone).
Origin
C19: perh. from chafe .