chaff 1
— chaffless , adj. — chafflike , adj.
/chaf, chahf/ , n.
1. the husks of grains and grasses that are separated during threshing.
2. straw cut up for fodder.
3. worthless matter; refuse.
4. the membranous, usually dry, brittle bracts of the flowers of certain plants.
5. Also called window . Mil. strips of metal foil dropped by an aircraft to confuse enemy radar by creating false blips.
[ bef. 1000; ME chaf, OE ceaf; c. MLG, D kaf ]
chaff 2
— chaffingly , adv.
/chaf, chahf/ , v.t. , v.i.
1. to mock, tease, or jest in a good-natured way; banter: She chaffed him for working late. They joked and chaffed with each other.
n.
2. good-natured ridicule or teasing; raillery.
[ 1640-50; perh. from CHAFF 1 ]