tri·fle
(trī́fəl)
[Middle English trufle, trifle, from Old French trufle, mockery diminutive of truffe, deception.]
noun
- Something of little importance or value.
- A small amount; a jot.
- 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.
- A moderately hard variety of pewter.
- trifles. Utensils made from this variety of pewter.
verb: -fled, -fling, -fles.
intransitive verb
- To deal with something as if it were of little significance or value.
- To act, perform, or speak with little seriousness or purpose; jest.
- To play or toy with something: Don't trifle with my affections. See synonyms at flirt
transitive verb
- To waste (time or money, for example).
idioms
- a trifle
- Very little; somewhat: a trifle stingy.
derivatives
- trífler
- noun
