frivolous

views updated May 23 2018

friv·o·lous / ˈfrivələs/ • adj. not having any serious purpose or value: rules to stop frivolous lawsuits. ∎  (of a person) carefree and not serious.DERIVATIVES: fri·vol·i·ty / friˈvälətē/ n.friv·o·lous·ly adv.friv·o·lous·ness n.

Frivolous

views updated May 18 2018

FRIVOLOUS

Of minimal importance; legally worthless.

A frivolous suit is one without any legal merit. In some cases, such an action might be brought in bad faith for the purpose of harrassing the defendant. In such a case, the individual bringing the frivolous suit might be liable for damages for malicious prosecution.

A frivolous appeal is one that is completely lacking merit, since no review able question has been raised therein.

frivolous

views updated May 11 2018

frivolous XV. f. L. (mainly late) frīvolus silly, trifling + -OUS.
Hence, by back-formation, colloq. frivol vb. XIX. frivolity XVIII. — F., f. (O)F. frivole adj. — L. frīvolus.