bagatelle

[ bag-uh-tel ]

noun

1. something of little value or importance; a trifle:

   "A mere bagatelle," she murmured in response to my admiration of her ring.

2. a game played on a board having holes at one end into which balls are to be struck with a cue.
3. pinball.
4. a short and light musical composition, typically for the piano.

bagatelle

/ ˌbæɡəˈtɛl /

noun

1. something of little value or significance; trifle
2. a board game in which balls are struck into holes, with pins as obstacles; pinball
3. another name for bar billiards
4. a short light piece of music, esp for piano

Word History and Origins

Origin of bagatelle¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from French, from Italian bagat(t)ella, equivalent to bagatt(a) “small possession,” perhaps a derivative of bag(a) “berry” (from Latin bāca, bacca ) + -att(a), diminutive suffix + -ella, from Latin -illa diminutive suffix; bay ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of bagatelle¹

C17: from French, from Italian bagattella , from (dialect) bagatta a little possession, from baga a possession, probably from Latin bāca berry

Example Sentences

If anything, the slowly accumulating final chord of the bagatelle could have set up the softly arpeggiated one at the start of “Twilight Way,” the first of the “Poetic Tone Pictures.”

From New York Times

While practicing here, he has been playing pieces by Ukrainian composers, including bagatelles by Silvestrov, to remind him of home.

From New York Times

The multimillionaire said that $100,000 “was a bagatelle to me” and that the loan was simply “a personal transaction based on old-time friendship.”

From Washington Post

“Ma Belle, My Beauty” may be a mere bagatelle, but it’s a diverting and attractive one.

From Washington Post

A bagatelle the length of a pop song, Beethoven’s trifle is recognizable from the start: a wobble between E and D sharp that gives way to a tune you’ve heard virtually everywhere.

From New York Times