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

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 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.