A-Z: General definitions: Chaff

Definition

The light waste material after winnowing grain (where the threshed grain was tossed up into the air so that the husks and straw could be blown away). Often used as a symbol in the Bible of things that will not last and are ultimately unimportant - the schemes of wicked people (Psalms 1:4-5), enemies (Isaiah 29:5), those opposed to God (Matthew 3:12).