spillikin

or spil·i·kin

[ spil-i-kin ]
/ ˈspɪl ɪ kɪn /

noun

a jackstraw.
spillikins, (used with a singular verb) the game of jackstraws.

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weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
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Origin of spillikin

1725–35; variant of spellican < obsolete Dutch spelleken, equivalent to spelle peg, pin + -ken -kin

Words nearby spillikin

spill, spill over, spill the beans, spillage, spillane, spillikin, spillikins, spillover, spillproof, spillway, spilt
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for spillikins

British Dictionary definitions for spillikins (1 of 2)

spillikins
/ (ˈspɪlɪkɪnz) /

noun

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

Word Origin for spillikins

C18: from spill ² + diminutive ending. See -kin

British Dictionary definitions for spillikins (2 of 2)

spillikin

spilikin spellican (ˈspɛlɪkən)

/ (ˈspɪlɪkɪn) /

noun

a thin strip of wood, cardboard, or plastic, esp one used in spillikins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012