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trifle

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tri⋅fle

  [trahy-fuhl] noun, verb, -fled, -fling.
Use trifle in a Sentence
–noun
1. an article or thing of very little value.
2. a matter, affair, or circumstance of trivial importance or significance.
3. a small, inconsiderable, or trifling sum of money.
4. a small quantity or amount of anything; a little: She's still a trifle angry.
5. a literary, musical, or artistic work of a light or trivial character having no great or lasting merit; bagatelle.
6. a kind of pewter of medium hardness.
7. trifles, articles made of this.
8. English Cookery. a dessert usually consisting of custard and cake soaked in wine or liqueur, and jam, fruit, or the like.
–verb (used without object)
9. to deal lightly or without due seriousness or respect: Don't trifle with me!
10. to play or toy by handling or fingering: He sat trifling with a pen.
11. to act or talk in an idle or frivolous way.
12. to pass time idly or frivolously; waste time; idle.
–verb (used with object)
13. to pass or spend (time) idly or frivolously (usually fol. by away).
Origin:
1175–1225; (n.) ME tru(f)fle idle talk, deceit < OF, var. of truf(f)e mockery, deceit; (v.) ME treoflen to mock < OF trufler to make sport of

Related forms:
trifler, noun

Synonyms:
1. bauble, toy. 13. fritter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tri·fle   (trī'fəl)   
n.  

  1. Something of little importance or value.

  2. A small amount; a jot.

  3. A dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake soaked in sherry, rum, or brandy and topped with layers of jam or jelly, custard, and whipped cream.

    1. A moderately hard variety of pewter.

    2. trifles Utensils made from this variety of pewter.

v.   tri·fled, tri·fling, tri·fles

v.   intr.

  1. To deal with something as if it were of little significance or value.

  2. To act, perform, or speak with little seriousness or purpose; jest.

  3. To play or toy with something: Don't trifle with my affections. See Synonyms at flirt.

v.   tr.
To waste (time or money, for example).

[Middle English trufle, trifle, from Old French trufle, mockery, diminutive of truffe, deception.]
tri'fler (trī'flər) 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

trifle 
c.1225, trufle "false or idle tale," later "matter of little importance" (c.1290), from O.Fr. trufle "mockery," dim. of truffe "deception," of uncertain origin. The verb, in the sense of "treat lightly," is first attested 1523.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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