spillikins

British  

/ ˈspɪlɪkɪnz /

noun

1. Also called: jackstraws.  (functioning as singular) a game in which players try to pick each spillikin from a heap without moving any of the others

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Etymology

Origin of spillikins

C18: from _spill ² + diminutive ending. See _-kin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spillikins

And on the floor nearby is a heap of maulsticks arranged like spillikins, or pick-up sticks – remove one and the whole circle would be disturbed.

From The Guardian ● May 19, 2012

"Hammett gave murder back to the people who commit it," said Chandler, who found the details of British mysteries as unexciting as "spillikins in the parlor."

From Time Magazine Archive

All she knew was that she had sallied forth determined somehow to upset the situation, just as one gives a shake purposely to a bundle of spillikins on the chance of more favourable openings.

From Robert Elsmere by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

So there was the situation till the war of Ninety-three came along to jumble us all up and knock everything to spillikins.

From Wild Justice: Stories of the South Seas by Osbourne, Lloyd

Mrs. Leyburn's mind was just now playing the part of spillikins, and the vicar's wife was shaking it viciously, though with occasional qualms as to the lawfulness of the process.

From Robert Elsmere by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.