What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Chaff vs Dross - What's the difference?

chaff | dross |

In transitive terms the difference between chaff and dross

is that chaff is to make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language; to quiz while dross is to remove dross from.

As nouns the difference between chaff and dross

is that chaff is the inedible parts of a grain-producing plant while dross is waste or impure matter.

As verbs the difference between chaff and dross

is that chaff is to use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule; to banter while dross is to remove dross from.

chaff

English

Noun

(-)
  • The inedible parts of a grain-producing plant.
  • To separate out the chaff , early cultures tossed baskets of grain into the air and let the wind blow away the lighter chaff.
  • * Dryden
  • So take the corn and leave the chaff behind.
  • By extension, any excess or unwanted material, resource, or person; anything worthless.
  • There are plenty of good books on the subject, but take care to separate the wheat from the chaff .
  • * Shakespeare
  • the chaff and ruin of the times
  • Loose material dropped from aircraft specifically to interfere with radar detection.
  • Straw or hay cut up fine for the food of cattle.
  • * Wyatt
  • By adding chaff' to his corn, the horse must take more time to eat it. In this way ' chaff is very useful.
  • Light jesting talk; banter; raillery.
  • Derived terms

    * separate the wheat from the chaff

    See also

    * bran

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To use light, idle language by way of fun or ridicule; to banter.
  • To make fun of; to turn into ridicule by addressing in ironical or bantering language; to quiz.
  • dross

    English

    (wikipedia dross)

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Noun

    (drosses)
  • Waste or impure matter
  • Worthless or trivial matter
  • Residue that forms on the surface of a metal from oxidation
  • The impurities in metal
  • A waste product from working with metal
  • Derived terms

    * (l) * (l) * (l)

    Verb

    (es)
  • To remove dross from.
  • Anagrams

    * ----