Chaff
Pronunciation
- RP IPA: /tʃæf/, /tʃɑËf/
- US IPA: /tʃæf/
- Rhymes: -æf
Origin
Old English ceaf; akin to West Frisian tsjêf, Dutch language kaf, Kaff.
Full definition of chaff
Noun
chaff
(uncountable)- 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.
- DrydenSo take the corn and leave the chaff behind.
- By extension, any excess or unwanted material, resource, or person; anything worthless.There are plenty of good books on the subject, but take care to separate the wheat from the chaff.
- Shakespearethe chaff and ruin of the times
- Loose material dropped from aircraft specifically to interfere with radar detection.
- Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle.
- WyattBy adding chaff to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it. In this way chaff is very useful.
- Light jesting talk; banter; raillery.
Derived terms
Verb
- (intransitive) To use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule; to banter.
- (transitive) To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language; to quiz.