chaff Definition

chaff¹
noun

1. The husks that form the outer covering of cereal grain, and are separated from the seeds during threshing.

Thesaurus: shell, husk, shard, crust, pod.
2. Chopped hay or straw used as animal feed or bedding.
3. Worthless material.
4. Thin strips of metallic foil fired into or dropped through the atmosphere in order to deflect radar signals and so prevent detection.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon ceaf.

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chaff²
noun

1. Light-hearted joking or teasing.

verb

chaffed, chaffing
1. To tease or make fun of someone in a good-natured way.

Etymology: 19c: probably from chaff¹.