trifle

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trifle[2,verb] trifling

Main Entry: ²trifle
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): tri·fled; tri·fling /-f(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English truflen, triflen, from Anglo-French trufler to trick, talk nonsense
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
- tri·fler /-f(&-)l&r/ 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>.