trinket

Meaning

Noun

1. A small, showy ornament, especially a piece of jewellery.
2. (figuratively) A thing of little value; a toy, a trifle.
3. (obsolete) A small item of food; a small dainty.
4. (in-plural, obsolete) A small item forming part of a set of equipment; an accessory, an accoutrement.
5. (derogatory, figuratively, obsolete) An item used in a religious rite (also, a religious rite, belief, etc.) regarded as superfluous or trivial.

Verb

Often followed by out: to adorn (someone or something) with trinkets (noun sense 1).

Verb

To act in a secret, and often dishonest, way; to have secret, and often dishonest, dealings; to intrigue, to scheme.

Synonyms

bauble

toy

knick-knack

trifle

gewgaw

gaud

fallal

bangle

novelty

bagatelle

amulet

bijou

kickshaw

talisman

trinketry

jewelry

chachka

knickknack

knick knack

doodad

littleness

nothing

chop

odds and ends

ornament

pendant

spangle

steak

folderal

tinsel

brummagem

trick

bibelot

falderol

ear-ring

gimcrack

jewellery

Translations

dije

babiole

colifichet

baratija

bagatelle

bibelot

gingillo

ninnolo

chincaglia

chincaglieria

fronzolo

Schmuck

broutille

bricole

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtɹɪŋkɪt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: trenket

Cognate with Old French: -

In summary

The origin of the noun is unknown; the word is possibly related to Old French tryncle (“piece of jewellery”). The following have also been suggested:
* From Middle English trenket, trynket (“small knife, specifically, a cordwainer’s knife”).
* From trick (“plaything, toy; trifle”, noun) or trick (verb).
However, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, there is insufficient evidence of any shift of meaning from these words to the current meanings of trinket.
The verb is derived from the noun.