chaff
1the husks of grains and grasses that are separated during threshing.
straw cut up for fodder.
worthless matter; refuse.
the membranous, usually dry, brittle bracts of the flowers of certain plants.
Also called window. Military. strips of metal foil dropped by an aircraft to confuse enemy radar by creating false blips.
Origin of chaff
1Other words from chaff
- chaffless, adjective
- chafflike, adjective
Other definitions for chaff (2 of 2)
to mock, tease, or jest in a good-natured way; banter: She chaffed him for working late. They joked and chaffed with each other.
good-natured ridicule or teasing; raillery.
Origin of chaff
2Other words from chaff
- chaff·ing·ly, adverb
- un·chaffed, adjective
- un·chaff·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for chaff (1 of 2)
/ (tʃɑːf) /
the mass of husks, etc, separated from the seeds during threshing
finely cut straw and hay used to feed cattle
something of little worth; rubbish (esp in the phrase separate the wheat from the chaff)
the dry membranous bracts enclosing the flowers of certain composite plants
thin strips of metallic foil released into the earth's atmosphere to confuse radar signals and prevent detection
Origin of chaff
1Derived forms of chaff
- chaffy, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for chaff (2 of 2)
/ (tʃɑːf) /
light-hearted teasing or joking; banter
to tease good-naturedly; banter
Origin of chaff
2Derived forms of chaff
- chaffer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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