2026

Chaff

//t͡ʃæf//

Definitions

1
The inedible parts of a grain-producing plant.
To separate out the chaff, early cultures tossed baskets of grain into the air and let the wind blow away the lighter chaff.
2
Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle.
By adding chaff to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it, and time is given for the commencement of digestion, before fermentation can occur. In this way chaff is very useful, especially after long fasts.
3
Any excess or unwanted material, resource, or person; anything worthless.
the chaff and ruin of the times

1
To use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule; to banter.
2
To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language.
We were talking about it at mess, yesterday, and chaffing Derby Oaks—until he was as mad as a hatter.

Word Origin

From Middle English chaf, from Old English ċeaf, from Proto-West Germanic *kaf. Cognate with Scots caff, Saterland Frisian Sääf, West Frisian tsjêf, Dutch kaf, German Low German Kaff, regional German ...

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Chaff

//t͡ʃæf//

Definitions

nounchaffs

1
The inedible parts of a grain-producing plant.
To separate out the chaff, early cultures tossed baskets of grain into the air and let the wind blow away the lighter chaff.
2
Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle.
By adding chaff to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it, and time is given for the commencement of digestion, before fermentation can occur. In this way chaff is very useful, especially after long fasts.
3
Any excess or unwanted material, resource, or person; anything worthless.
the chaff and ruin of the times

verbchaffs · chaffing · chaffed

1
To use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule; to banter.
2
To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language.
We were talking about it at mess, yesterday, and chaffing Derby Oaks—until he was as mad as a hatter.

Word Origin

From Middle English chaf, from Old English ċeaf, from Proto-West Germanic *kaf. Cognate with Scots caff, Saterland Frisian Sääf, West Frisian tsjêf, Dutch kaf, German Low German Kaff, regional German ...

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Translations

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3

To cut up (straw or hay) for use as cattle feed.