◙ noun 1. a thing of little value or importance • 琐事,小事 »we needn't trouble the headmaster over such trifles. 我们不必为这么点小事麻烦校长。 [in sing.] a small amount of something • 少量,少许 »the thousand yen he'd paid seemed the merest trifle. 他支付的一千日元似乎只是九牛一毛。 2. [Brit.] a cold dessert of sponge cake and fruit covered with layers of custard, jelly, and cream • [英] 屈莱弗甜食,蛋奶果冻奶油水果松糕 ◙ verb, [no obj.] 1. (trifle with)treat (someone or something) without seriousness or respect • 轻视,小看 »he is not a man to be trifled with. 他是个不能小看的人。 »men who trifle with women's affections. 玩弄妇女感情的男人。 2. (archaic)talk or act frivolously • [古] 轻浮地说(或做) »we will not trifle—life is too short. 我们不会虚度光阴——生命太短暂了。 [with obj.] (trifle something away)waste (something, especially time) frivolously • 浪费(时间)
【IDIOMS】
◘ a trifle 1. a little;somewhat • 有点儿;稍微 »his methods are a trifle eccentric. 他的方式有点古怪。
【派生】
♦ trifler noun
【语源】
1. 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'