chafe

The definition of chafe means to rub for warmth, to the point of irritation or until worn away.

(verb)

An example of chafe is the redness and pain from inner thighs rubbing together while jogging.

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See chafe in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb chafed, chafing

  1. to rub so as to stimulate or make warm
  2. to wear away by rubbing
  3. to irritate or make sore by rubbing
  4. to annoy; irritate

Origin: ME chaufen < OFr chaufer, to warm < L calefacere, to make warm: see calefacient

intransitive verb

  1. to rub (on or against)
  2. to be or become vexed, irritated, or impatient

noun

  1. an injury or irritation caused by rubbing
  2. Archaic a vexed or annoyed state

See chafe in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb chafed chafed, chaf·ing, chafes
verb, transitive
  1. To wear away or irritate by rubbing.
  2. To annoy; vex.
  3. To warm by rubbing, as with the hands.
verb, intransitive
  1. To rub and cause irritation or friction: The high collar chafed against my neck.
  2. To become worn or sore from rubbing.
  3. To feel irritated or impatient: chafed at the delay.
noun
  1. Warmth, wear, or soreness produced by friction.
  2. Annoyance; vexation.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English chafen

Origin: , from Old French chaufer, to warm

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *calefāre

Origin: , alteration of Latin calefacere

Origin: : calēre, to be warm; see kelə-1 in Indo-European roots

Origin: + facere, to make; see dhē- in Indo-European roots

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