flipper

Definition

In marine mammals such as whales (or other aquatic animals such as sea turtles), a wide, flat limb adapted for swimming.

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

• "Early pinball machines demanded that a player shake the entire table in an effort to guide the ball through the obstacles (pins—hence the name). Later iterations had mechanical flippers like today's, but more of them—six, which were distributed three on each side up and down the body of the machine."
• "The flipper is designed to give support by standing at a 90-degree angle to the flat. It probably gets its name from its appearance: cut out like a piece of profile scenery, it resembles the flipper of a marine animal, […]"
• "When standing alone, a flat may have a small extension, a FLIPPER, for added strength."

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