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spillikin

 - 2 dictionary results

spil⋅li⋅kin

  [spil-i-kin]
Use spillikin in a Sentence
–noun
1. a jackstraw.
2. spillikins, (used with a singular verb) the game of jackstraws.
Also, spilikin.

Origin:
1725–35; var. of spellican < obs. D spelleken, equiv. to spelle peg, pin + -ken -kin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To spillikin
spil·li·kin   (spĭl'ĭ-kĭn)   
n.  

  1. spillikins (used with a sing. verb) The game of jackstraws.

  2. One of the straws used in playing jackstraws.


[Probably alteration of Flemish spelleken, diminutive of spelle, pin, from Middle Flemish, ultimately from Medieval Latin spīnula, diminutive of Latin spīna, thorn.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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