trinket Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
    fallal; bangle; novelty; gewgaw; gaud; bauble.

WordNet

Trin"ket noun
Etymology
F. trinquet foremast, also, a certain sail, trinquette a triangular sail, or Sp. trinquete triangular.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) A three-cornered sail formerly carried on a ship's foremast, probably on a lateen yard.
    Sailing always with the sheets of mainsail and trinket warily in our hands. Hakluyt.
Trin"ket noun
Etymology
OE. trenket a sort of knife, hence, probably, a toy knife worn as an ornament; probably from an Old French dialectic form of trenchier to cut. Cf. Trench, v. t.
Definitions
  1. A knife; a cutting tool. Tusser.
  2. A small ornament, as a jewel, ring, or the like.
  3. A thing of little value; a trifle; a toy.
Trin"ket intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To give trinkets; hence, to court favor; to intrigue. Obs. South.

Webster 1913