2 meanings, 5 uses
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1 —2 uses as in:
trifle with her affections
Definition
to treat somebody or something thoughtlessly or without respect
- I mean, daring to trifle with the respectability of a family that has a good and honest name to support.5.5 -- Book 5 Chapter 5 -- The Cloven Tree (65% in)
- "I could never trifle with anything that affected your sister's happiness.5.5 -- Book 5 Chapter 5 -- The Cloven Tree (66% in)
There are no more uses of "trifle with" flagged with this meaning in The Mill on the Floss.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —3 uses as in:
a trifling matter
Definition
something of small importance; or a small quantity
- It had been a more miserable day than usual; her father, after a visit of Wakem's had had a paroxysm of rage, in which for some trifling fault he had beaten the boy who served in the mill.4.3 -- Book 4 Chapter 3 -- A Voice from the Past (2% in)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- But if you'd a mind to lend a bit o' money to Mr. Tom, he'd pay you six or seven per zent, an' get a trifle for himself as well; an' a good-natur'd lady like you 'ud like the feel o' the money better if your nephey took part on it."5.2 -- Book 5 Chapter 2 -- Aunt Glegg Learns the Breadth of Bob's Thumb (62% in)
- But Stephen did not appear to notice this, and as some lady-purchasers came up, he lounged on toward Maggie's end, handling trifles and standing aloof until Wakem, who had taken out his purse, had finished his t transactions.6.9 -- Book 6 Chapter 9 -- Charity in Full-Dress (32% in)
There are no more uses of "trifling" flagged with this meaning in The Mill on the Floss.
Typical Usage
(best examples)