\ ˈchif
\
\
plural chiffs
Definition of chiff
: the initial sound made by air leaving the mouth of a wind instrument (such as an organ flue pipe or a flute) at the attack (see attack entry 2 sense 5) of a note
The chiff is a sudden, short-lived burst of upper harmonics that occurs whenever an organ key is depressed and a note is sounded.— Joel Naumann and James D. Wagoner, Analog Electronic Music Techniques, 1985
— called also articulation
Learn More About chiff
Statistics for chiff
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Chiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiff. Accessed 18 Jan. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Difficult Spelling Words Quiz
-
- Which is the correct spelling?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share chiff
Time Traveler for chiff
The first known use of chiff was in 1937
See more words from the same year