Entry Word: chafe

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to make sore by continued rubbing <ill-fitting boots that had badly chafed my heels>

Synonyms abrade, gall, irritate

Related Words graze, scrape, scratch; burn, inflame; flay, peel, skin

2 to damage or diminish by continued friction <constant stepping on a rope will gradually chafe it, rendering it unsafe for rock climbing> — see abrade 1
3 to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts <the constantly ringing phone chafed him while he was trying to study> — see irritate 1