Chaff - English meaning

noun

Humorous or witty conversation.

Usage examples:

He developed a nice line in badinage with the labour leader

noun

Conversation or remarks that are joking and not serious

noun

Food placed on a hook or in a net, trap, or fishing area to entice fish or other animals as prey.

Usage examples:

Herrings make excellent bait for pike

verb

Variant spelling of bate1.

noun

An angry mood.

Usage examples:

He got into a stinking bate

noun

The playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.

Usage examples:

There was much good-natured banter

verb

Exchange remarks in a good-humoured teasing way.

Usage examples:

The men bantered with the waitresses

noun

Conversation that is not serious and is often playful

Usage examples:

That kind of banter isn’t appropriate at work.

noun

Pieces of grain husk separated from flour after milling.

Usage examples:

Oat bran

noun

The outer covering of grain that is separated when making white flour. bran is added to other foods because it contains a lot of the fibre needed for a healthy body

Usage examples:

Wheat/oat bran, both these breakfast cereals have added bran.

noun

A small case or container, especially a round or cylindrical one.

Usage examples:

He showed us the cylinder of the gun filled with six plastic capsules

noun

A measured amount of medicine in a very small, rounded, soft container which is swallowed

Usage examples:

The apollo 11 capsule

noun

A small container with medicine inside that you swallow

noun

Unwanted transfer of signals between communication channels.

Usage examples:

This was key to avoid unwanted measurement crosstalk that destroys quantum information.

noun

Interference (= unwanted noise or other effects) in a communications system because it is receiving a wrong signal

Usage examples:

The cables have a copper core surrounded by wire mesh that absorbs noise and crosstalk., the proble…

noun

A process in which signals sent by different pathways (= sets of connected reactions) in the body affect each other

Usage examples:

The research revealed the crosstalk that exists between the antibacterial and anti-viral arms of th…

noun

Scattered pieces of rubbish or remains.

Usage examples:

Workmen were clearing the roads of the debris from shattered buildings

noun

Broken or torn pieces left from the destruction of something larger

Usage examples:

After the tornado, debris from damaged trees and houses littered the town.

noun

Broken or torn pieces of something larger

Usage examples:

Debris from the aircraft was scattered over a large area.

verb

Express contempt for; ridicule.

Usage examples:

The decision was derided by environmentalists

verb

To laugh at or show no respect for someone or something, because you think they are stupid or of no value

Usage examples:

Deride someone/something as something he derided my singing as pathetic., this building, once derid…

noun

Waste or debris of any kind.

Usage examples:

The streets were foul with detritus

noun

Waste material or rubbish, especially left after a particular event

Usage examples:

Detritus of the stadium was littered with the detritus of yesterday's concert.

noun

A loose mass of decaying material

plural noun

The remnants of a liquid left in a container, together with any sediment.

Usage examples:

Coffee dregs

plural noun

Small, solid pieces that sink to the bottom of a liquid

Usage examples:

Coffee dregs, the dregs of society

noun

The small solid pieces that sink to the bottom of some liquids, such as wine or coffee, that are not usually drunk

Usage examples:

I wanted a last drink of coffee, but there were only dregs left., dregs of he emptied the dregs of …

noun

Something regarded as worthless; rubbish.

Usage examples:

There are bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross

noun

Something that has no use or no value

Usage examples:

So much of what's on tv is pure dross., we read all the manuscripts but 95 percent are dross.

noun

Pieces of broken wood and other waste materials found on the beach or floating on the sea

Usage examples:

We wandered along the shore, stepping over the flotsam that had washed up in the night., the homele…

noun

Rubbish or waste, especially domestic refuse.

Usage examples:

Garbage littered the estate

Worthless material that is to be disposed of

noun

Waste material, esp. unwanted food, or a container in which waste is kept

Usage examples:

She threw the cheese in the garbage., take the garbage can/bags out to the curb to be picked up., t…

verb

Provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction.

Usage examples:

He was trying to goad her into a fight

noun

A spiked stick used for driving cattle.

Usage examples:

The ripon report suggests widespread use of sticks and electric goads, and says that some animals h…

verb

To make a person or an animal react or do something by continuously annoying or upsetting them

Usage examples:

Goad someone into something she seemed determined to goad him into a fight., he refused to be goade…

noun

A man.

Usage examples:

He's a nice guy

verb

Make fun of; ridicule.

Usage examples:

She never stopped guying him about his weight

verb

Secure with a guy or guys.

Usage examples:

It was set on concrete footings and guyed with steel cable

noun

The main body of a ship or other vessel, including the bottom, sides, and deck but not the masts, superstructure, rigging, engines, and other fittings.

Usage examples:

The main structural bulkhead supports the hull sides at the chain plates and the cabin top at the m…

verb

Hit and pierce the hull of (a ship) with a missile.

Usage examples:

The ship was being hulled and all would die

verb

Remove the hulls from (fruit, seeds, or grain).

Usage examples:

First, rinse and hull the berries

noun

The dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds.

Usage examples:

The fibrous husk of the coconut

verb

Remove the husk or husks from.

Usage examples:

They set up mills to husk the rice

verb

Say something in a husky voice.

Usage examples:

‘what big blue eyes you have,’ husked lorenzo

adjective

Said or done for amusement; joking.

Usage examples:

A jesting commentary on world affairs

noun

The action of saying or doing something for amusement.

Usage examples:

Laughing and jesting were out of the question

verb

Speak in a joking way.

Usage examples:

You jest, surely?

noun

The quality of being happy and liking to make jokes

Usage examples:

There's a kind of forced jocularity to his writing., she is known for jocularity in her dealings wi…

adjective

Humorous or flippant.

Usage examples:

A joking manner

verb

Make jokes; talk humorously or flippantly.

Usage examples:

She could laugh and joke with her colleagues

verb

Present participle of joke

Usage examples:

They joked and laughed as they looked at the photos., it's more serious than you think, so please d…

verb

Tease (someone) in a playful way.

Usage examples:

He loved to josh people

noun

Good-natured banter.

Usage examples:

We found him tired-eyed and peaked—not a man for josh and chatter

abbreviation

Joshua (in biblical references).

noun

A child or young person.

Usage examples:

She collected the kids from school

verb

(of a goat) give birth.

Usage examples:

Milk fever usually occurs in heavy milkers shortly after kidding

verb

Deceive (someone) in a playful way; tease.

Usage examples:

You're kidding me!

plural noun

Things that have been left as worthless.

Usage examples:

She dropped her lunch leavings into a bin

noun

The things that a person or an animal leaves when they have finished doing something

Usage examples:

The leavings from the grinding of seeds and grain will be checked for starch and protein content., …

noun

Something, especially food, remaining after the rest has been used.

Usage examples:

Everyone wanted seconds, so there were no leftovers

adjective

Remaining; surplus.

Usage examples:

Yesterday's leftover bread

noun

Food remaining from a previous meal

noun

Rubbish such as paper, cans, and bottles left lying in an open or public place.

Usage examples:

Always clear up after a picnic and never drop litter

verb

Make (a place or area) untidy with rubbish or a large number of objects left lying about.

Usage examples:

Clothes and newspapers littered the floor

noun

Pieces of paper and other small objects that have been thrown out and are left on the ground in public places

Usage examples:

The park was littered with bottles and soda cans after the concert.

verb

Move in a slow, heavy, awkward way.

Usage examples:

A truck lumbered past

noun

Articles of furniture or other household items that are no longer useful and inconveniently take up storage space.

Usage examples:

A lumber room

verb

Burden (someone) with something unwanted.

Usage examples:

The banks do not want to be lumbered with a building that they cannot sell

idiom

To be unkind to someone and laugh at or cause others to laugh at the person

Usage examples:

You’re always making fun of me!

verb

Tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.

Usage examples:

Opposition mps mocked the government's decision

adjective

Not authentic or real, but without the intention to deceive.

Usage examples:

A mock-georgian red brick house

noun

Make a replica or imitation of something.

noun

Dirt, rubbish, or waste matter.

Usage examples:

I'll just clean the muck off the windscreen

verb

Spread manure on (land).

Usage examples:

Half the farm is mucked every year

noun

Wet, sticky dirt

Usage examples:

It was hard to walk in the muck.

idiom

A motley assortment of things

plural noun

Miscellaneous articles or remnants.

Usage examples:

We bought batteries for the radio and a few other odds and ends

plural noun

Various items of different types, usually small and unimportant or of little value

Usage examples:

We’ve moved most of the furniture to the new house, but there are still a few odds and ends to brin…

plural noun

Rubbish or dregs.

phrasal verb

Repeatedly single someone out for criticism or unkind treatment in a way perceived to be unfair.

Usage examples:

No one is picking on you—we're trying to help

phrasal verb

Choose someone or something from a number of alternatives.

Usage examples:

I have a tendency to pick on something small and mull it over for far too long

phrasal verb

To criticize, annoy, or punish someone repeatedly and unfairly

Usage examples:

He gets picked on because he’s small.

noun

An elongated seed vessel of a leguminous plant such as the pea, splitting open on both sides when ripe.

Usage examples:

Gorse pods were popping in the sun

verb

(of a plant) bear or form pods.

Usage examples:

The peas have failed to pod

noun

A small herd or school of marine animals, especially whales.

Usage examples:

A pod of 500 dolphins frolicking in the bay

idiom

To make someone or something seem ridiculous by making jokes about the person or thing

Usage examples:

Late night comedy shows often poke fun at politicians.

noun

A witty remark.

Usage examples:

Peter ate heartily with a quip about being a condemned man

verb

Make a witty remark.

Usage examples:

‘flattery will get you nowhere,’ she quipped

noun

A quick, intelligent, and often amusing remark

Usage examples:

The piano mover quipped, “of course i love piano – i picked it up as a child!”

noun

A piece of old cloth, especially one torn from a larger piece, used typically for cleaning things.

Usage examples:

He wiped his hands on an oily rag

verb

Give a decorative effect to (a painted surface) by applying paint, typically of a different colour, with a rag.

Usage examples:

The background walls have been stippled above the dado rail and ragged below

noun

A programme of stunts, parades, and other entertainments organized by students to raise money for charity.

Usage examples:

Rag week

verb

Give a decorative effect to (a painted surface) by applying paint, typically of a different colour, with a rag.

Usage examples:

The background walls have been stippled above the dado rail and ragged below

verb

Make fun of (someone) in a boisterous manner.

Usage examples:

He ragged me about not smoking or drinking

noun

A piece of old cloth, especially one torn from a larger piece, used typically for cleaning things.

Usage examples:

He wiped his hands on an oily rag

noun

Good-humoured teasing.

Usage examples:

She was greeted with raillery from her fellow workers

verb

Indicate or show that one is not willing to do something.

Usage examples:

I refused to answer

noun

Matter thrown away or rejected as worthless; rubbish.

Usage examples:

Heaps of refuse

verb

Continue to exist, especially after other similar people or things have ceased to do so.

Usage examples:

A cloister is all that remains of the monastery

plural noun

The parts left over after other parts have been removed, used, or destroyed.

Usage examples:

The remains of a sandwich lunch were on the table

noun

Conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.

Usage examples:

He had a quick mind and a splendid gift of repartee

noun

Quick and usually funny answers and remarks in conversation

Usage examples:

Oscar wilde's plays are full of witty repartee.

noun

Each of a series of slender curved bones articulated in pairs to the spine (twelve pairs in humans), protecting the thoracic cavity and its organs.

Usage examples:

He had several broken ribs

verb

Mark with or form into ridges.

Usage examples:

The road was ribbed with furrows of slush

noun

A small open boat with a fibreglass hull and inflatable rubber sides.

noun

The subjection of someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behaviour.

Usage examples:

He is held up as an object of ridicule

verb

Subject to contemptuous and dismissive language or behaviour.

Usage examples:

His theory was ridiculed and dismissed

noun

Words or actions that make someone or something seem foolish or stupid

Usage examples:

He was an unhappy figure of ridicule, not a figure of fun, among his colleagues., she was ridiculed…

noun

A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.

Usage examples:

The dialogue, too, feels like piecework, as if the bons mots and ripostes have been assembled from …

verb

Make a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.

Usage examples:

‘you've got a strange sense of honour,’ grant riposted

noun

A quick and clever remark, often made in answer to a criticism

Usage examples:

She made a sharp/witty/neat riposte., [ + that ] she simply riposted that she did not create the bo…

noun

Waste material; refuse or litter.

Usage examples:

Householders may be charged for the removal of non-recyclable rubbish

verb

Criticize severely and reject as worthless.

Usage examples:

He rubbished the idea of a european community-wide carbon tax

adjective

Very bad; worthless or useless.

Usage examples:

People might say i was a rubbish manager

noun

A sudden charge out of a besieged place against the enemy; a sortie.

Usage examples:

The garrison there made a sally against us

verb

Make a military sortie.

Usage examples:

They sallied out to harass the enemy

noun

The part of a bell rope that has coloured wool woven into it to provide a grip for the bell-ringer's hands.

Usage examples:

There are two parts to the bell rope – the tail and the soft sally, which are pulled alternately to…

noun

A small piece or amount of something, especially one that is left over after the greater part has been used.

Usage examples:

I scribbled her address on a scrap of paper

verb

Discard or remove from service (a redundant, old, or inoperative vehicle, vessel, or machine), especially so as to convert it to scrap metal.

Usage examples:

A bold decision was taken to scrap existing plant

verb

Engage in a minor fight or quarrel.

Usage examples:

The older boys started scrapping with me

noun

A small piece or amount of something, especially one that is left over after the greater part has been used.

Usage examples:

I scribbled her address on a scrap of paper

verb

Discard or remove from service (a redundant, old, or inoperative vehicle, vessel, or machine), especially so as to convert it to scrap metal.

Usage examples:

A bold decision was taken to scrap existing plant

verb

Engage in a minor fight or quarrel.

Usage examples:

The older boys started scrapping with me

noun

A close-fitting cover for the blade of a knife or sword.

Usage examples:

Drawing the sword free of the sheath she inspected the blade.

noun

The hard protective outer case of a mollusc or crustacean.

Usage examples:

Cowrie shells

verb

Short for shell program.

noun

An outer covering such as a husk or pod, especially the husk of an ear of maize.

Usage examples:

Regional fuels like steam from the deep earth or excess corn shucks will enter custom-designed micr…

verb

Remove the shucks from maize or shellfish.

Usage examples:

Shuck and drain the oysters

exclamation

Used to express surprise, regret, irritation, or, in response to praise, self-deprecation.

Usage examples:

‘thank you for getting it.’ ‘oh, shucks, it was nothing.’

noun

Dirt or refuse collected by sweeping.

Usage examples:

The sweepings from the house

adjective

Extending or performed in a long, continuous curve.

Usage examples:

Sweeping, desolate moorlands

adjective

Wide in range or effect.

Usage examples:

We cannot recommend any sweeping alterations

phrase

To laugh at someone and make them seem silly, in a funny or unkind way

Usage examples:

A group of other boys were taking the mickey out of him., she's always taking the mick - she's got …

noun

A remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone.

Usage examples:

Pupils will play truant rather than face the taunts of classmates about their ragged clothes

verb

Provoke or challenge (someone) with insulting remarks.

Usage examples:

Pupils began taunting her about her weight

verb

Harass with persistent criticism or carping

verb

Make fun of or attempt to provoke (a person or animal) in a playful way.

Usage examples:

I used to tease her about being so house-proud

noun

A person who makes fun of someone playfully or unkindly.

Usage examples:

Some think of him as a tease who likes to keep others guessing

verb

Mock or make fun of playfully

adjective

Intended to provoke or make fun of someone in a playful way.

Usage examples:

Teasing comments

verb

Make fun of or attempt to provoke (a person or animal) in a playful way.

Usage examples:

I used to tease her about being so house-proud

verb

Present participle of tease

Usage examples:

I used to hate being teased about my red hair when i was at school., i was just teasing, i didn't m…

abbreviation

Turkey (international vehicle registration).

verb

Use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.

Usage examples:

We can't afford to waste electricity

adjective

(of a material, substance, or by-product) eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after the completion of a process.

Usage examples:

Ensure that waste materials are disposed of responsibly

noun

An act or instance of using or expending something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose.

Usage examples:

It's a waste of time trying to argue with him

noun

A witty remark or joke.

Usage examples:

She could pinpoint the absurdity of every situation with a snappy wisecrack

verb

Make a witty remark or joke.

Usage examples:

Katherine wisecracked until her last breath

noun

A remark that criticizes someone or something in a humorous way

noun

The witty exploitation of the meanings and ambiguities of words, especially in puns.

Usage examples:

So many of the jokes are based on wordplay

noun

The activity of joking about the meanings of words, especially in an intelligent way