Chthonian, thō′ni-an, adj. pertaining to the under world, subterranean.—Also Chthon′ic. [Gr. chthōn, the ground.]
Chub, chub, n. a small fat river-fish.—adjs. Chubbed, Chub′by, short and thick, plump; Chub′-faced, plump-faced.—n. Chub′biness.
Chubb, chub, n. a patent lock invented by Chubb, a locksmith in London—much used for safes, &c.—Also Chubb′-lock.
Chuck, chuk, n. the call of a hen: a chicken (dim. Chuck′ie): a word of endearment.—v.i. to call, as a hen. [A variety of Cluck.]
Chuck, chuk, n. a gentle blow, as under the chin: (coll.) a toss or throw; any game of pitch and toss.—v.t. to pat gently, as under the chin: to toss: to pitch.—n. Chuck′-far′thing, a game in which a farthing is chucked into a hole. [Fr. choquer, to jolt; allied to Shock.]
Chuck, chuk, n. a pebble or small stone: a game with such stones, often called Chuck′ies: an instrument for holding an object so that it can be rotated, as upon the mandrel of a lathe. [Der. uncertain; cf. It. cioco, a block, stump.]
Chuck-full. Same as Chock-full (q.v. under Chock).
Chuckle, chuk′l, n. a kind of laugh: the cry of a hen.—v.t. to call, as a hen does her chickens: to caress.—v.i. to laugh in a quiet, suppressed manner, indicating derision or enjoyment.—n. Chuck′ling. [Akin to Chuck, to call.]
Chuckle, chuk′l, adj. clumsy.—n. Chuck′le-head, a loutish fellow. [Prob. Chock, a log.]
Chuff, chuf, n. a clown: a surly fellow.—n. Chuf′finess, boorishness.—adj. Chuf′fy, coarse and surly. [M. E. chuffe, choffe, a boor (origin unknown), conn. with Scotch coof, akin to Ice. kueif.]