flipper

See also: Flipper

English

Etymology

From flip + -er.

Pronunciation

Noun

flipper (plural flippers)

  1. In marine mammals such as whales, a wide flat limb, adapted for swimming.
  2. A flat, wide, paddle-like rubber covering for the foot, used in swimming.
  3. A flat lever in a pinball machine, triggered by the player to strike the ball and keep it in play.
  4. (cricket) A type of ball bowled by a leg spin bowler, which spins backwards and skids off the pitch with a low bounce.
  5. (informal, US) Television remote control, clicker.
  6. (dated, slang) The hand.
  7. (dentistry) A kind of false tooth, usually temporary.
    • 2005, Washington Appellate Reports: Volume 128
      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."
  8. A kitchen spatula.
    • 2009, Amy J. Yowell, The Silent Cry (page 161)
      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.
  9. Someone who flips, in the sense of buying a house or other asset and selling it quickly for profit.
  10. Someone who flips in any other sense, for example throwing a coin.

Translations

See also

Verb

flipper (third-person singular simple present flippers, present participle flippering, simple past and past participle flippered)

  1. To lift one or both flippers out of the water and slap the surface of the water.

Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from English flipper.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈflɪ.pər/
  • Hyphenation: flip‧per

Noun

flipper m (plural flippers, diminutive flippertje n)

  1. A flipper, a fin (swimming gear).
    Synonym: zwemvlies
  2. A flipper (limb-like appendage of an aquatic animal).
    Synonym: vin
  3. A flipper, a flipper bumper (lever in a pinball machine for hitting the ball; also the input device for operating this lever).
  4. (rare) A pinball machine.
    Synonym: flipperkast

Derived terms


French

Etymology 1

From English flipper, the part of a pinball machine used to strike the ball up higher on the game surface.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fli.pœʁ/

Noun

flipper m (plural flippers)

  1. pinball

Etymology 2

From English flip.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fli.pe/

Verb

flipper

  1. (colloquial, slang) to freak out
Conjugation

Further reading


Italian

Noun

flipper m (invariable)

  1. pinball (game and machine)
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