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frivolous

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friv⋅o⋅lous

  [friv-uh-luhs]
–adjective
1. characterized by lack of seriousness or sense: frivolous conduct.
2. self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose.
3. (of a person) given to trifling or undue levity: a frivolous, empty-headed person.
4. of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice: a frivolous suggestion.
Use frivolous in a Sentence
Origin:
1425–75; late ME < L frīvolus worthless, trifling; see -ous

Related forms:
friv⋅o⋅lous⋅ly, adverb
friv⋅o⋅lous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
3. idle, silly, foolish, childish, puerile. 4. light, trifling, petty, paltry, trivial, flimsy.

Antonyms:
3. serious. 4. weighty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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friv·o·lous   (frĭv'ə-ləs)   
adj.  

  1. Unworthy of serious attention; trivial: a frivolous novel.

  2. Inappropriately silly: a frivolous purchase.


[Middle English, probably from Latin frīvolus, of little value, probably from friāre, to crumble.]
friv'o·lous·ly adv., friv'o·lous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

frivolous 
1549, from L. frivolus "silly, empty, trifling, brittle," dim. of *frivos "broken, crumbled," from friare "break, rub away, crumble."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: friv·o·lous
Pronunciation: 'fri-v&-l&s
Function: adjective
: lacking in any arguable basis or merit in either law or fact
NOTE: In an attempt to discourage frivolous lawsuits, Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires the signature of an attorney or party on any pleading, motion, or other paper to certify that to the signer's knowledge it is grounded in fact and warranted by law or otherwise brought in good faith and not for an improper purpose. A court is authorized to impose sanctions for violation of the rule.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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