trifle
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++tri·fle1 /ˈtraɪfəl/ noun 1 a trifle formalQUITE/FAIRLY slightly 有点，稍稍a trifle eccentric/odd/unexpected etc 有点古怪/奇怪/出乎意料等2 [countable] old-fashionedUNIMPORTANT something unimportant or not valuable 琐事；无价值的东西 There’s no point in arguing over trifles. 为琐事争吵毫无意义。3. [countable, uncountable]DF a cold British sweet dish made of layers of cake, fruit, jelly, custard, and cream 乳脂松糕〔一种由蛋糕、水果、果冻、牛奶蛋糊、奶油分层构成的英式冷甜点〕
Examples from the Corpus
trifle• Alas, they are just a trifle over life size.• A tall man of military bearing, who I fancied looked a trifle uncomfortable in civilian clothes, stood on the threshold.• But such a trifle was not worthy of being brought by such a gentleman as you seem to be.• At first, the difficulty he had in opening the door of his room seemed no more than an irritating trifle.• Buying a house is no trifle for middle class families.• His antiquarian temperament has made him a greater snapper-up of unconsidered trifles of archaeology, architecture and literature.trifle2 verb 1 trifle with somebody/something phrasal verb ADMIREto treat someone or something without respect or not in a serious way 轻视，小看，随便对待 He’s not a man to be trifled with. 他这个人怠慢不得。 men who trifle with women’s affections 玩弄女性感情的男人Examples from the Corpus
trifle• I was in no mood to trifle.• Ferry captains have no time to trifle with inept sailors blocking the channel.• How dare you trifle with me, he might have said; and worse, why should I care?• I loathe men who trifle with women's affections.Origin trifle1 (1200-1300) Old French trufe, trufle “deceiving, making fun”tri·fle1 nountrifle2 verbChineseSyllable
slightly Corpus
trifle
tri‧fle1 /ˈtraɪfəl/ 
noun
a trifle eccentric/odd/unexpected etc
2. [countable] old-fashioned something unimportant or not valuable:
There’s no point in arguing over trifles.
3. [uncountable and countable] a cold British sweet dish made of layers of cake, fruit, jelly, custard, and cream
trifle2 verb
trifle with somebody/something phrasal verb
to treat someone or something without respect or not in a serious way:
He’s not a man to be trifled with.
men who trifle with women’s affections
| I |
noun Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: trufe, trufle 'deceiving, making fun'
1. a trifle formal slightlyLanguage: Old French
Origin: trufe, trufle 'deceiving, making fun'
a trifle eccentric/odd/unexpected etc
2. [countable] old-fashioned something unimportant or not valuable:
3. [uncountable and countable] a cold British sweet dish made of layers of cake, fruit, jelly, custard, and cream
| II |
verbtrifle with somebody/something phrasal verb
to treat someone or something without respect or not in a serious way:
