Phĭl'o-pē'nȧ, n.

n. A small present made in accordance with a custom said to have been introduced from Germany. A person who, in eating almonds, finds one containing two kernels, presents one of them to a person of the opposite sex, and whichever, when they next meet, shall first say Philopena, is entitled to receive from the other a present, bearing this name.

☞ The expression in H. German is vielliebchen. L. German vielliebken, much loved, pronounced somewhat like phi-lip'ken. Some, therefore, suppose this to be the origin of the word, by a change of termination into pena (Lat. poena), from an idea that the gift was a penalty. Others would derive it directly from Gr. φίλος, a friend, and poena, penalty.