Spark vs Trifle - What's the difference?

Spark is a related term of trifle.

In lang=en terms the difference between spark and trifle

is that spark is to give off a spark or sparks while trifle is to squander or waste.

As nouns the difference between spark and trifle

is that spark is a small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire or spark can be a gallant, a foppish young man while trifle is an english dessert made from a mixture of thick custard, fruit, sponge cake, jelly and whipped cream.

As verbs the difference between spark and trifle

is that spark is to trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc) or spark can be to woo, court while trifle is to deal with something as if it were of little importance or worth.

spark

English

(wikipedia spark)

Etymology 1

From Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from (etyl) ).

Noun

(en noun)

A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire.

A short or small burst of electrical discharge.

A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.

(figuratively) A small amount of something, such as an idea, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire.

* Shakespeare

if any spark of life be yet remaining

* John Locke

We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge .

* 2013 , Phil McNulty, "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980]", BBC Sport , 1 September 2013:

Everton's Marouane Fellaini looks one certain arrival but Moyes, who also saw United held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, needs even more of a spark in a midfield that looked laboured by this team's standards.

(in plural'' sparks ''but treated as a singular ) A ship's radio operator.

(UK, slang) An electrician.

Synonyms

* gnast * beginnings, germ, glimmer

Derived terms

* sparkle * bright spark * spark arrester * spark coil * spark gap * spark knock * spark of life * spark plug * spark transmitter * sparks fly

Verb

(en verb)

To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=May 5 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages.}}

To give off a spark or sparks.

Derived terms

* spark off * sparkle

Etymology 2

probably Scandinavian, akin to (etyl) sparkr 'sprightly'

Noun

(en noun)

A gallant, a foppish young man.

* Prior

The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.

A beau, lover.

Verb

(en verb)

To woo, court.

Derived terms

* sparkish * sparker

References

Anagrams

* ----

trifle

English

Noun

An English dessert made from a mixture of thick custard, fruit, sponge cake, jelly and whipped cream.

An insignificant amount.

* {{quote-book, year=1928, author=Lawrence R. Bourne

, title=Well Tackled! , chapter=17 citation , passage=Commander Birch was a trifle uneasy when he found there was more than a popple on the sea; it was, in fact, distinctly choppy. Strictly speaking, he ought to have been following up the picket–boat, but he was satisfied that the circumstances were sufficiently urgent for him to take risks.}}

Anything that is of little importance or worth.

* Shakespeare

Trifles light as air / Are to the jealous confirmation strong / As proofs of holy writ.

* Drayton

with such poor trifles playing

A particular kind of pewter.

(uncountable) Utensils made from this particular kind of pewter.

Synonyms

See also: . * (insignificant amount) iota, jot, scrap, whit * (thing of little importance or worth) bagatelle, minor detail, whiffle

Derived terms

* a trifle

Verb

(trifl)

To deal with something as if it were of little importance or worth.

To act, speak, or otherwise behave with jest.

To inconsequentially toy with something.

To squander or waste.

Anagrams

* * ----