fillip

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English filippen, philippe (“to flick or snap a finger from against the thumb”); further origin uncertain, but probably imitative. See flip. It is not clear whether the verb is derived from the noun, or vice versa. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /ˈfɪlɪp/ Homophones: Philip, Phillip Hyphenation: fil‧lip === Noun === fillip (plural fillips) (archaic) The action of holding the tip of a finger against the thumb and then releasing it with a snap; a flick. A sharp strike or tap made using this action, or (by extension) by other means. (by extension) Something unimportant, a trifle; also, the brief time it takes to flick one's finger (see noun sense 1); a jiffy. (by extension) Something that excites or stimulates. ==== Translations ==== === Verb === fillip (third-person singular simple present fillips, present participle filliping or (archaic) fillipping, simple past and past participle filliped or (archaic) fillipped) (transitive) To strike, project, or propel with a fillip (that is, a finger released quickly after being pressed against the thumb); to flick. Synonyms: flick, ping (transitive, by extension) To project quickly; to snap. (transitive, by extension) To strike or tap smartly. (transitive, figuratively) To drive as if by a fillip (noun sense 1); to excite, stimulate, whet. Synonyms: inflame; see also Thesaurus:thrill (ambitransitive) To make a fillip (noun sense 1) (with the fingers). ==== Derived terms ==== filliping (noun) ==== Related terms ==== flip (possibly) ==== Translations ==== === References ===