Webster's English Dictionary

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trifle

1. tri.fle \'tri--f*l\ n [ME trufle, trifle, fr. OF trufe, trufle mockery] 
   1: something of little value or importance; esp : an insignificant  amount 
   (as of money) 2: a dessert of sponge cake spread with jam or jelly, 
   sprinkled with crumbl ed macaroons, soaked in wine, and served with custard 
   and whipped cream 3: a pewter of moderate hardness used esp. for small 
   utensils 
2. trifle \-f(*-)lin\ \-f(*-)l*r\ vb or tri.fling [ME truflen, triflen, fr. 
   OF trufer, trufler to mock, t]rick 1a: to talk in a jesting or mocking 
   manner or with intent to delude or mis lead 1b: to act heedlessly or 
   frivolously : PLAY  2: to waste time : DALLY  3: to handle something idly : 
   TOY  : to spend or waste in trifling or on trifles {~ away money}  to deal 
   with or act toward without serious purpose. TRIFLE may imply playfulness, 
   unconcern, indulgent contempt; TOY implies acting without full attention or 
   serious exertion of one's powers; DALLY suggests indulging in thoughts or 
   plans merely as an amusement; FLIRT implies an interest or attention that 
   soon passes to another object; COQUET implies attracting interest or 
   admiration without serious intention - tri.fler n SYN syn TRIFLE, TOY, 
   DALLY, FLIRT, COQUET mean