Trifle



GRE Barron 考研

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n.微不足道, 琐事
• ［英］ n.微不足道, 琐事 ( something of little value, substance, or importance)
• ［同］ 参考: trivia ( 琐事)
• ［例］ waste time on trifles

Webster Collegiate

I. noun

• Etymology: Middle English trufle, trifle, from Anglo-French trufle, triffle fraud, trick, nonsense
• Date: 14th century
• 1. something of little value, substance, or importance
• 2. a dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake often soaked with wine or spirits (as brandy or rum) and topped with layers of preserves, custard, and cream

II. verb (trifled; trifling)

• Etymology: Middle English truflen, triflen, from Anglo-French trufler to trick, talk nonsense
• Date: 14th century
• intransitive verb
  • 1.
    • a. to talk in a jesting or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead
    • b. to treat someone or something as unimportant
  • 2. to handle something idly
• transitive verb
  • to spend or waste in trifling or on trifles
• ? trifler noun
• Synonyms:
  • trifle, toy, dally, flirt, coquet mean to deal with or act toward without serious purpose. trifle may imply playfulness, unconcern, indulgent contempt <to trifle with a lover's feelings>. toy implies acting without full attention or serious exertion of one's powers<a political novice toying with great issues>. dally suggests indulging in thoughts or plans merely as an amusement<dallying with the idea of building a boat someday>. flirt implies an interest or attention that soon passes to another object<flirted with one fashionable ism after another>. coquet implies attracting interest or admiration without serious intention<companies that coquet with environmentalism solely for public relations>.

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