trifle

trifle [trī′fəl]

n.

[ME < OFr trufle, mockery, dim. of truffe, deception]

1. something of little value or importance; trivial thing, idea, etc.; paltry matter

2. a small amount of money

3. a small amount or degree; bit

4. esp. in England, a dessert consisting of spongecake soaked in wine, spread with jam, and covered with custard, whipped cream, etc.

5.

a) a kind of pewter of medium hardness

b) [pl.] utensils made of this

vi.

trifled, trifling

1. to talk or act jokingly, mockingly, etc.; deal lightly [not a person to trifle with]

2. to play or toy (with something)

3. to play fast and loose (with a person's affections); dally

vt.

to spend idly; waste [to trifle the hours away]

trifler

n.

SYN.- TRIFLE is the general term meaning to treat without earnestness, full attention, definite purpose, etc. [to trifle with a person, an idea, etc. ]; FLIRT implies a light, transient interest or attention that quickly moves on to another person or thing [she's always flirting with men ]; DALLY implies a playing with a subject or thing that one has little or no intention of taking seriously [to dally with painting ]; COQUET suggests the behavior of a flirtatious woman who seeks attention or admiration without serious intent; TOY implies a trifling or dallying with no purpose beyond that of amusement or idling away time [to toy with an idea ]