PHILOPENAS

Noun

philopenas

plural of philopena

Source: Wiktionary


PHILOPENA

Phil`o*pe"na, n. Etym: [Probably a corruption fr. G. vielliebchen, LG. vielliebken, or D. veelliebken, a philopena, literally, much loved; but influenced by Gr. poena penalty, from an idea that the gift was a penalty of friendship or love.]

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

20 June 2025

MODEST

(adjective) marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself; “a modest apartment”; “too modest to wear his medals”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

coffee icon