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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Triffil(l, Trifle, n. Also: triffell, triffle, triphle, tryf(f)il(l, tryfle, trefell, thriffil. [ME and e.m.E. trufle (Ancr. R.), trifle, tryffel (both 1297), tryfyl (Manning), trifil (Wyclif), OF trufle.]

1. A trifling matter, a matter of little importance.(a) 1559 Q. Kennedy in Misc. Wodrow Soc. 267.
I pray ȝour Lordschip appardone me that I molest ȝou with sic tryfills
1562-3 Winȝet I 113/18.
Gif ȝe allege ony occasioun of idolatrie at the saidis sepulturis, that trifle [MS thriffil] is na excuis to ȝou
1567 G. Ball. 231.
The Lordis bell … biddis in plaine, leue ȝour triffillis vane
a1568 Scott i 89.
Thai tyrit God with tryfillis, tvme trentalis
1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 9.
Tryfle
1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Tricae, tryffillis [1617 trifles] and nochtie impedimentis
1585 Reg. Privy C. IV 32.
The materis than confessit … be him wer bot triffillis in respect of uthiris of greitar importance
1587 Carmichael Etym. 34.
Ineptia, toyes, trifles
1591 Cal. Sc. P. X 542.
Mirrie companyouns say atte thair wyne that all our trubillis ar bott tryfills to get moir gowld frome Ingland
1599 Maxwell Mem. II 39.
I feare some midge catchers may informe your Maiestie of suche triffles
1645 Cuningham Journal 124.
Triphle
(b) 1547–8 Cal. Sc. P. I 97.
My anesor was, I wald nocht go with ane trefell to your grace, nor to non that bair reuell onder your grace

b. A trifling sum of money. 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III 517.
I newir trettit with his lordship … excep for ane letill particular triffill quhilk ȝe knaw passis not the walour … twa houndret crowns
1652 Honours Scotl. 121.
Quhen they will not haissart ane triffell of menes, they will neuir haissart lyff and for toune

2. A thing or artifact of little importance or value. 1558-66 Knox II 12.
In thame [sc. ships] war gotten sum horse and muche harners, with sum uther triffilis; but of money we hard nocht
1566 Facs. Nat. MSS III lii.
Thair restis to be had to hir abilyementis sum pasmentis of gold and vther tryffillis of na greit valu

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"Triffil n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/triffill_n>

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