Pronunciation: [t͡ʃˈafs] (IPA) 
The word "chaffs", which refers to the husks of grain, is spelled with a "s" at the end despite the fact that it is often pronounced as "chaffz". This is because "chaff" is a noun that ends with "f", and when making its plurals, the "f" is usually changed to "v" and "es" is added. However, when the word ends in a "ff", as in "chaff", only an "s" is added to form the plural. So, the IPA transcription for "chaffs" is /tʃæfs/.
Chaffs, in its noun form, refers to the plural of the word "chaff", a term with various meanings across different fields. In the agricultural context, chaffs typically depict the husks or other seed coverings that are separated from grain during threshing or winnowing processes. These lightweight and inedible materials are generally considered waste and are often discarded or used as animal feed or bedding. Chaffs are typically composed of layers of protective tissue surrounding the seed, such as the lemma or glumes in grasses.
Chaffs are also commonly associated with military or aerial navigation terminology. In this sense, chaffs refer to small, thin metal or plastic strips that are launched by military aircraft or ships as a countermeasure against enemy radar systems. When released, these metallic strips confuse enemy radar systems by creating numerous false targets. Chaffs act as a decoy or diversionary tactic to deflect enemy radar-guided missiles, assisting in the defense and protection of the aircraft or vessel.
Additionally, the term "chaffs" can be used as a verb in the third-person present tense, referring to the act of teasing or mocking someone in a light-hearted manner. It is often employed to describe playful banter or good-natured teasing among friends.
The word "chaffs" is a noun derived from the verb "chaff", which has multiple meanings. The etymology of "chaff" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as "ceaf" or "ceap". In Old English, "ceaf" referred to husks or the inedible parts of grain that are removed during threshing.
The word has its roots in Proto-Germanic, specifically the Old High German "cheva", Middle Dutch "cave", and Old Norse "kaf". Ultimately, these Proto-Germanic words can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *kap-, which meant "to grasp" or "hold".
