All 3 Uses of
trifle
in
Macbeth
- And oftentimes to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
In deepest consequence.p. 23.5 *trifles = things of little importanceeditor's notes: This could be paraphrased as: "Often, to lead us to our downfall, the forces of evil tell us the truth. They lure us with honesty about things of little importance only to betray us in matters of great importance."
- Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it; he died
As one that had been studied in his death,
To throw away the dearest thing he owed
As 'twere a careless trifle.p. 27.2trifle = thing of small importance
- I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night
Hath trifled former knowings.p. 73.5trifled = made small by comparison
Definitions:
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(1)
(trifle as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
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(2)
(trifle with as in: trifle with her affections) to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
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(3)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Less commonly, a trifle can refer to a kind of dessert. In classic literature, trifling can be a synonym for small talk.