chafe

2 entries found for chafe.
To select an entry, click on it.

chafe[1,verb] chafing dish

Main Entry: ¹chafe
Pronunciation: 'chAf
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): chafed; chaf·ing
Etymology: Middle English chaufen to warm, from Anglo-French chaufer, from Vulgar Latin *calfare, alteration of Latin calefacere, from calEre to be warm + facere to make -- more at LEE, DO
transitive verb
1 : IRRITATE, VEX
2 : to warm by rubbing especially with the hands
3 a : to rub so as to wear away : ABRADE <the strap chafed his skin> b : to make sore by or as if by rubbing
intransitive verb
1 : to feel irritation, discontent, or impatience : FRET <chafes at the rules>
2 : to rub and thereby cause wear or irritation