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flip

/flɪp/ noun

In Latin: vertō, tornō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about flip at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. An acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return.
  2. Hot or cold alcoholic mixed drink containing a beaten egg.
  3. A sudden, quick movement.
    with a flip of the wrist

verb

  1. Lightly throw to see which side comes up.
    I don't know what to do--I may as well flip a coin!
  2. Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation.
    switch on the light
  3. Look through a book or other written material.
    He thumbed through the report

adjective

  1. Marked by casual disrespect.
    a flip answer to serious question

Origin

Alteration of earlier fillip, from Middle English filippen (“to make a signal or sound with thumb and right forefinger, snap the fingers”), an attenuated variation of flappen (“to flap, clap, slap, strike”). Cognate with Dutch flappen (“to flap”), German flappen (“to flap”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)