spillikins

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spillikins¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

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“It’s all in spillikins in the back garden.”

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

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Then on another evening we might encourage the men to play progressive games like draughts, halma, picture lotto, spillikins, ping-pong, and beggar-my-neighbour.

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

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