[ad. F. frivolité: see FRIVOL a. and -ITY.]
1. The quality of being frivolous; disposition to trifle, frivolous behavior, levity.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, i. Wks. VIII. 86. When frivolity and effeminacy had been … acknowledged as their national character by the good people of this kingdom.
1816. Scott, Antiq., xii. Musing upon the frivolity of mortal pursuits.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., Exper., Wks. (Bohn), I. 189. A preoccupied attention is the only answer to the importunate frivolity of other people.
2. A frivolous act or thing.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., iii. Mr. Nickleby glanced at these frivolities with great contempt.
1845. Maurice, Mor. & Met. Philos., in Encycl. Metrop., II. 625/1. Pithy maxims of conduct … entering into the lowest details and frivolities.
