fillip

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a stimulus or boost; a quick flick of a finger

   Lower rates gave a welcome fillip to the housing market.

Simplified etymology

Fillip appeared in late Middle English with the meaning “a flick of the finger.” It probably came into use because its sound was felt to represent that movement.

Of imitative origin, an alteration of flip, originally denoting the smart snap of a finger released from the thumb; the figurative 'stimulus' sense developed from this sudden flick.

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary