chafe
UK[tʃeɪf]US[tʃeɪf]
v
to become annoyed or impatient
v
to make skin sore or damaged by rubbing
Etymology
the journey of 'chafe' begins with the latin verb 'calēre', meaning 'to be hot', a descendant of the proto-indo-european root kelə-, also signifying warmth. combined with 'facere' (to make), it formed 'calefacere' (to make hot). this term passed into vulgar latin and old french, where it evolved into 'chaufer', the direct source of the middle english 'chafen'. the original core meaning was physical heating through friction, such as rubbing hands to warm them. over time, the physical sense of soreness caused by rubbing extended metaphorically to describe a state of mental irritation or impatience, as if one's feelings were being rubbed raw.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it entered middle english from old french 'chaufer', meaning 'to warm'. the old french term derived from vulgar latin 'calefare', a variant of latin 'calefacere', meaning 'to make hot'. 'calefacere' itself is a compound of 'calēre' (to be hot) and 'facere' (to make).
Examples
passengers began to chafe at the long delay.
the stiff collar chafed his neck.
she chafed under the company's strict regulations.