trifle

Word family

Related topics: Food

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

Examples from the Corpus

a trifle eccentric/odd/unexpected etc• She is a trifle odd; you will find out more about that.• That was a trifle unexpected, but Rossmayne was a man of honour and good sense.

2 [countableC] 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. [countableC, uncountableU]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 verbphr v 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 verb

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus