philopena
Americannoun
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a custom, presumably of German origin, in which two persons share the kernels of a nut and determine that one shall receive a forfeit from the other at a later time upon the saying of a certain word or the performance of a certain action.
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the thing shared.
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the forfeit paid.
Etymology
Origin of philopena
1830–40, earlier philippina < Dutch philippine < German Vielliebchen, diminutive of viellieb very dear; in earlier form viellieb was taken as proper name Philippe Philip and -chen was made into feminine suffix -ina, giving a woman's name; in later form the word was Anglicized along pseudo-classical lines ( cf. philo-, penal)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I owe him a philopena, and that would have been a splendid way to pay it."
From Tabitha at Ivy Hall by Alfred Russell
On her left hand she wore the wedding circlet, with her engagement-ring and the philopena guard over it.
From Horace Chase by Constance Fenimore Woolson
Should he fail to do this he must pay the philopena or forfeit.
From Literary Lapses by Stephen Leacock
"No; Kamenz gave it to me to-day--he owed me a philopena," replied Linda.
From Felix Lanzberg's Expiation by Ossip Schubin
Ruth paid no heed to this; put on her ring again, using the philopena circlet as a guard; then she said, "Petie Trone, Esq., there will be just time before dinner for your Saturday scrubbing."
From Horace Chase by Constance Fenimore Woolson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
