from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chafe \Chafe\ (ch[=a]f), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Chafed}
(ch[=a]ft); p pr. & vb. n. {Chafing}.] [OE. chaufen to warm,
OF. chaufer, F. chauffer, fr. L. calefacere, calfacere, to
make warm; calere to be warm + facere to make. See
{Caldron}.]
1. To excite heat in by friction; to rub in order to
stimulate and make warm.
[1913 Webster]
To rub her temples, and to chafe her skin.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. To excite passion or anger in; to fret; to irritate.
[1913 Webster]
Her intercession chafed him. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. To fret and wear by rubbing; as, to chafe a cable.
[1913 Webster]
Two slips of parchment which she sewed round it to
prevent its being chafed. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: To rub; fret; gall; vex; excite; inflame.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chafing \Chaf"ing\, n. [See {Chafe}, v. t.]
The act of rubbing, or wearing by friction; making by
rubbing.
[1913 Webster]
{Chafing dish}, a dish or vessel for cooking on the table, or
for keeping food warm, either by coals, by a lamp, or by
hot water; a portable grate for coals.
{Chafing gear} (Naut.), any material used to protect sails,
rigging, or the like, at points where they are exposed to
friction.
[1913 Webster]