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Webster 1913 Edition
Philopena
Philˊo-pe′na
,Noun.
[Probably a corruption fr. G.
vielliebchen
, LG. vielliebken
, or D. veelliebken
, a philopena, literally, much loved; but influenced by Gr. φίλοσ
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
.] ☞ 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.