I. noun
also fil·ip ˈfilə̇p
( -s )
Etymology: probably of imitative origin
1.
a. : a blow or gesture made by the sudden forcible straightening of a finger curled up against the thumb
b. : a short smart blow : buffet
giving her a … fillip on the shoulder with his heavy gloves — Glenway Wescott
2.
a. : something added that tends to arouse or excite
the Declaration of Independence gave a brief fillip to patriotism but only for a short period — S.E.Morrison & H.S.Commager
b. : a stimulating or rousing agent
businessmen … cannot see where the next big fillip for business will come from — Newsweek
3. : a trivial addition : a minor embellishment
quite necessary adjuncts instead of merely extra fillips — Lois Long
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1.
a. : to strike by holding the nail of a finger against the ball of the thumb and then suddenly releasing it from that position
b. : to make a filliping motion with
the man filliped his fingers toward his accuser — S.H.Adams
2. : to project quickly by or as if by a fillip : snap
filliped crumbs off the table
3. : to urge on : stimulate
with this to fillip his spirits — Robert Westerby