flipper

Meaning

Noun

1. In marine mammals such as whales (or other aquatic animals such as sea turtles), a wide, flat limb adapted for swimming.
2. A wide, flat, 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. A small flat used to support a larger one.
5. A type of ball bowled by a leg spin bowler, which spins backwards and skids off the pitch with a low bounce.
6. (US, informal) Television remote control, clicker.
7. (dated, slang) The hand.
8. A kind of false tooth, usually temporary.
9. A kitchen spatula.
10. Someone who flips, in the sense of buying a house or other asset and selling it quickly for profit.
11. Someone who flips in any other sense, for example throwing a coin.

Verb

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

Synonyms

fin

paddle

web

swimfin

flap

flapper

glove

mitt

mudguard

pinball

pinion

ridge

spine

mud guard

webbing

winglet

dash board

dirtboard

bird’s foot

splash board

antisplash guard

bluff board

mud-apron

mud baffle

mud apron

fender shield

mudapron

under-screen

blade

fender board

dashboard

fender

fins

Translations

pinna

Flosse

aleta

nageoire

barbatana

nadadeira

vin

palme

Schwimmflosse

aleta

aileron

Wulstfahne

βατραχοπέδιλο

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈflɪpə/

Etymology

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: Flappert

In summary

From flip + -er. Compare Saterland Frisian Flappert (“flipper, wing”).