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>