All 3 Uses
trifle
in
Othello, the Moor of Venice
(Auto-generated)
- Do not believe That, from the sense of all civility, I thus would play and trifle with your reverence: Your daughter,—if you have not given her leave,—I say again, hath made a gross revolt; Tying her duty, beauty, wit, and fortunes In an extravagant and wheeling stranger Of here and everywhere.†
Scene 1.1 *trifle with = treat thoughtlessly or without respect
- Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ: this may do something.†
Scene 3.3 *trifles = things of small importance
- that handkerchief thou speak'st of I found by fortune and did give my husband; For often with a solemn earnestness,—More than, indeed, belong'd to such a trifle,—He begg'd of me to steal it.†
Scene 5.2
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) A trifle can refer to a kind of dessert. In classic literature, trifling can be a synonym for small talk.