trifle
tri·fle / ˈtrīfəl/ • n. 1. a thing of little value or importance: we needn't trouble the headmaster over such trifles. ∎ [in sing.] a small amount of something: the thousand yen he'd paid seemed the merest trifle.2. chiefly Brit. a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, jelly, and cream.• v. [intr.] 1. (trifle with) treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect: he is not a man to be trifled with men who trifle with women's affections.2. archaic talk or act frivolously: we will not trifle—life is too short. ∎ [tr.] (trifle something away) waste (something, esp. time) frivolously.PHRASES: a trifle a little; somewhat: his methods are a trifle eccentric.DERIVATIVES: tri·fler / -f(ə)lər/ n.
trifle
trifle †false or idle tale XIII; matter of little value; trinket, knick-knack XIV; slight piece, small sum XVI; light confection. ME. truf(f)le — OF., by-form of truf(f)e deceit, gibe, of unkn. orig.
Hence trifle vb. XIV (earlier †bitrufle cheat, delude XIII).