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   Chafe

   /CHāf/

   

   verb

   • 1. (of something restrictive or too tight) make (a part of the body) sore by rubbing against it: "the collar chafed his neck" Similar abradegrazegraterub againstrub painfullygallskinscrapescratchraspinflamerare:excoriate
   • ▪ (of a part of the body) be or become sore as a result of abrasive rubbing. Similar abradegrazegraterub againstrub painfullygallskinscrapescratchraspinflamerare:excoriate
   • ▪ (of an object) rub abrasively against another object: "the grommet stops the cable from chafing on the metal" Similar abradegrazegraterub againstrub painfullygallskinscrapescratchraspinflamerare:excoriate
   • 2. rub (a part of the body) to restore warmth or sensation: "I chafed her feet and wrapped the blanket around her" Similar rubwarmwarm up
   • 3. become or make annoyed or impatient because of a restriction or inconvenience: "the bank chafed at the restrictions imposed upon it" Similar be impatientbe angrybe annoyedbe irritatedbe incensedbe exasperatedbe frustratedfumebroodfussupset oneselfinformal:blow one's topblow a fuse

   noun

   • 1. wear or damage caused by rubbing: "to prevent chafe the ropes should lie flat"
   • 2. a state of annoyance: archaic "into what an unprofitable chafe you have put yourself!"

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘make warm’): from Old French chaufer ‘make hot’, based on Latin calefacere, from calere ‘be hot’ + facere ‘make’.

   Scrabble Points: 13

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