/ ˈtraɪfl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a trifle [ sing. ] ( formal ) slightly :
She seemed a trifle anxious.
2.
[ C ] something that is not valuable or important :
$1 000 is a mere trifle to her.
3.
[ C , U ] ( BrE ) a cold dessert (= a sweet dish) made from cake and fruit with wine and/or jelly poured over it, covered with custard and cream
■ verb
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PHRASAL VERBS
- trifle with sb/sth
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (also denoting an idle story told to deceive or amuse): from Old French trufle , by-form of trufe deceit, of unknown origin. The verb derives from Old French truffler mock, deceive.