chaff /t͡ʃæf/noun 5verb 3forms 3 noun5 •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. •(figurative) Any excess or unwanted material, resource, or person; anything worthless.Who that has prided himself on his spiritual strength has not seen it humbled to the dust? A knowledge of religion, as distinguished from experience, seems but chaff in such moments of trial. — 1927 •Loose material, e.g. small strips of aluminum foil dropped from aircraft, intended to interfere with radar detection. •Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle. •Light jesting talk; banter; raillery.It was the chaff of the College at the time, but I could not help it. — 1886 verb3 •To use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule; to banter. •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. — 1848 •To cut up (straw or hay) for use as cattle feed. formschaffed · chaffing · chaffs
