Philopena

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Philopena \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.
     fi`los 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}.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
           [1913 Webster] Philopolemic