I. ˈchāf, esp dial -af verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English chaufen to warm, from Middle French chaufer, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin calfare, alteration of Latin calefacere, from calēre to be warm + facere to make — more at caldron , do
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to make warm (as the emotions) : excite
chafe the blood and spirits
2. : irritate , annoy , vex
the noise of the children playing chafed her
3. : to warm by rubbing especially with the hands
chafing his hands together as though they were cold — Elizabeth Bowen
4.
a. : to rub so as to wear away : abrade
the schooner chafed her sides against the dock
b. : to irritate or make sore by or as if by rubbing
the tight collar chafed his neck
intransitive verb
1. : to feel irritation or discontent : be impatient (as with restraint or restriction) : fret
he chafed at the forced inaction — F.Tennyson Jesse
2. : to rub with such pressure (as of one body against another) that much wear or irritation is caused
a rope weakened by chafing against the rail
3. : to dash or toss violently (as of the sea) : press or strain especially against restraint
the river chafes against the rocky shore
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a state of vexation : passion , rage
the cardinal in a chafe sent for him — William Camden
2. : injury or wear caused by friction ; also : rubbing , friction
3. : the usually leather shield that covers the ring of a saddle cinch to prevent it from chafing the horse