flipper
/ˈflɪpɚ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.80 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
In marine mammals such as whales (or other secondarily aquatic animals such as sea turtles), a wide, flat limb adapted for swimming.
noun
A flat lever in a pinball machine, triggered by the player to strike the ball and keep it in play.
Example Sentences
- "Early pinball machines demanded that a player shake the entire table in an effort to guide the ball through the obstacles (pins—hence the name). Later iterations had mechanical flippers like today's, but more of them—six, which were distributed three on each side up and down the body of the machine."
- "The flipper is designed to give support by standing at a 90-degree angle to the flat. It probably gets its name from its appearance: cut out like a piece of profile scenery, it resembles the flipper of a marine animal, […]"
- "When standing alone, a flat may have a small extension, a FLIPPER, for added strength."
- "Give me your flipper, old man, and tell me if I can be of any service to you. I'll do what you want at all hazards."
- "Dr. Woo attempts to distinguish Blakeslee by pointing out that “one can fondle a breast without having anything to do with dentistry, but one cannot take molds, fabricate and insert flippers into another person's mouth without practicing dentistry.""
- "Remember the mornings when you help me fix eggs and pancakes for breakfast. You always had to use the “flipper” to turn the pancakes and eggs."
Etymology
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈflɪpɚ/
- British English: /ˈflɪpə/