Hyper Dictionary

English Dictionary Computer Dictionary Thesaurus Dream Dictionary Medical Dictionary


Search Dictionary:  

Meaning of PHILOPENA

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Phil`o*pe"na\, n. [Probably a corruption fr. G.
vielliebchen, LG. vielliebken, or D. veelliebken, a
philopena, literally, much loved; but influenced by Gr. ? a
friend, and L. poena penalty, from an idea that the gift was
a penalty of friendship or love.]
A present or gift which is made as a forfeit in a social game
that is played in various ways; also, the game itself.
[Written also {fillipeen} and {phillippine}.]
Note: One of the ways may be stated as follows: A person
      finding a nut with two kernels eats one, and gives the
      other to a person of the opposite sex, and then
      whichever says philopena first at the next meeting wins
      the present. The name is also applied to the kernels
      eaten.
 
 Websites: 
 

 

COPYRIGHT © 2000-2003 WEBNOX CORP. HOME | ABOUT HYPERDICTIONARY