BAGATELLE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

bagatelle

[ bag-uh-tel ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

something of little value or importance; a trifle:
"A mere bagatelle," she murmured in response to my admiration of her ring.
a game played on a board having holes at one end into which balls are to be struck with a cue.
pinball.
a short and light musical composition, typically for the piano.

bagatelle

/ ˌ��æɡəˈ��ɛ�� /

noun

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

Discover More

51�Թ� 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 ��峦��, bacca ) + -att(a), diminutive suffix + -ella, from Latin -illa diminutive suffix; bay ⁴

Discover More

51�Թ� 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 ��峦�� berry

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dudamel, who joyfully held Simon’s diverse musical styles together, began the program with Bernstein’s “Divertimento,” a collection of short, popular-styled bagatelles, including dances and blues numbers.

From

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

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

From

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

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

From

bagassosis Bagdad

Browse