n.
Pronunciation: ' ch ā f
Function: verb
Inflected Form: chafed ; chaf · ing
Etymology: Middle English chaufen to warm, from Anglo-French chaufer, from Vulgar Latin *calfare, alteration of Latin calefacere, from cal ē re to be warm + facere to make ― more at LEE , DO
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : IRRITATE , VEX
2 : to warm by rubbing especially with the hands
3 a : to rub so as to wear away : ABRADE <the strap chafed his skin> b : to make sore by or as if by rubbing
intransitive verb
1 : to feel irritation, discontent, or impatience : FRET < chafe s at the rules>
2 : to rub and thereby cause wear or irritation