Background for bagatelle

bagatelle

/ˌbæɡəˈtɛl/

Illustration bagatelle - Image 1

noun

A trifle; an insubstantial thing.

Examples :

"Forgetting my umbrella was a bagatelle compared to losing my wallet. "

thing abstract value

Illustration bagatelle - Image 1

noun

A short piece of literature or of instrumental music, typically light or playful in character.

Examples :

"The piano teacher assigned a short, cheerful bagatelle for her student to learn as a fun break from the more serious pieces. "

literature music entertainment

Illustration bagatelle - Image 1

noun

A game similar to billiards played on an oblong table with pockets or arches at one end only.

Examples :

"After dinner, we set up the bagatelle in the game room and took turns trying to score points by hitting the balls into the arches. "

game entertainment sport

Illustration bagatelle - Image 1

noun

Any of several smaller, wooden table top games developed from the original bagatelle in which the pockets are made of pins; also called pin bagatelle, hit-a-pin bagatelle, jaw ball.

Examples :

"During the family's annual game night, the children excitedly brought out the bagatelle, hoping to win by skillfully maneuvering the balls past all the pins and into the highest-scoring pockets. "

game entertainment utensil

Illustration bagatelle - Image 1

verb

To meander or move around, in a manner similar to the ball in the game of bagatelle.

Examples :

"The lost puppy bagatelled through the park, sniffing at every tree and chasing falling leaves. "

Illustration bagatelle - Image 1

verb

To bagatellize; to regard as a bagatelle.

Examples :

"She tended to bagatellize her own accomplishments, often dismissing them as "just luck." "