I. ˈchaf, -aa(ə)f, -aif, -ȧf noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English chaf, chef, from Old English ceaf; akin to Middle Dutch caf chaff, Old High German cheva husk
1. : the glumes, husks, or other seed coverings or small pieces of stems or leaves (as of grains and grasses) separated from the seed in threshing or processing
2. : straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle
3. : something comparatively light and worthless : a worthless or useless product of an endeavor
in the book are a few practical suggestions; all else is chaff
4. : the scales borne on the receptacle among the florets in the heads of many composite plants
5. : window 4
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to cut into chaff
III.
archaic
variant of chafe
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably from chaff (I)
: light jesting talk : banter , teasing, raillery
no end of chaff about my way of speaking — G.B.Shaw
V. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably from chaff (IV)
transitive verb
: to make fun of in a good-natured way : tease good-naturedly
they chaffed me for leaving so early — Lucien Price
intransitive verb
: to make fun of or joke about someone or something : jest , banter