Chaff | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Chāff, n.

noun

(6), n. [A.-S. ceaf, D. kaf, Ger. kaf, from O. H. Ger. cheva, pod, husk.] 1. The glumes, husk, or light, dry covering of grains and grasses. It consists of membranous scales which are separated from the seed by threshing, winnowing, or like processes. Take the corn and leave the chaff behind. Dryden.

(Bot.) The scales or bracts on the receptacle which subtend each flower in the heads of many Compositæ, as the sunflower. Greg.
Worthless matter; refuse. “The chaff and ruin of the times.” Shak.
The husks of grain and straw, or hay, cut up for the food of cattle.

Chaff. (2.)

Chăff, n.

noun

n. Light, idle talk, by way of making fun or turning into ridicule. [Colloq.]

Chāff, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule. [Colloq.] At the end of Strand they make a stand, Swearing that they are at a loss: And, chafing, say, that's not the way They must go to Charing Cross. Old Song.

Chăff, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in frivolous or ironical language. Morgan saw that his master was chaffing him. Thackeray.