from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Philopena \Phil`o*pe"na\, n. [Probably a corruption fr. G.
vielliebchen, LG. vielliebken, or D. veelliebken, a
philopena, literally, much loved; but influenced by Gr.
fi`los a friend, and L. poena penalty, from an idea that the
gift was a penalty of friendship or love.]
A present or gift which is made as a forfeit in a social game
that is played in various ways; also, the game itself.
[Written also {fillipeen} and {phillippine}.]
[1913 Webster]
Note: One of the ways may be stated as follows: A person
finding a nut with two kernels eats one, and gives the
other to a person of the opposite sex, and then
whichever says philopena first at the next meeting wins
the present. The name is also applied to the kernels
eaten.
[1913 Webster] Philopolemic