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.
4. 1. A moderately hard variety of pewter.
   2. trifles Utensils made from this variety of pewter.

v., -fled, -fling, -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).

idiom:

a trifle

1. Very little; somewhat: a trifle stingy.

[Middle English trufle, trifle, from Old French trufle, mockery, diminutive of truffe, deception.]

trifler tri'fler (trī'flər) n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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