Lick
Lick (lik) , transitive verb
[Anglo-Saxon liccian; akin to Old Saxon likkōn, Dutch likken, Old High German lecchōn, German lecken, Gothic bi-laigōn, Russ. lizate, Latin lingere, Greek lei`chein, Sanskrit lih, rih. r121. Compare Lecher, Relish.]
1.
To draw or pass the tongue over; as, a dog licks his master's hand. — Addison
2.
To lap; to take in with the tongue; as, a dog or cat licks milk. — Shakespeare
Collocations (4)
To lick the dust , to be slain; to fall in battle. His enemies shall lick the dust.
To lick into shape , to give proper form to; -- from a notion that the bear's cubs are born shapeless and subsequently formed by licking. — Hudibras
To lick the spittle of , to fawn upon. — South
To lick up , to take all of by licking; to devour; to consume entirely. — Shakespeare
Lick , noun
[See Lick, v.]
1.
A stroke of the tongue in licking.
A lick at the honey pot.
2.
A quick and careless application of anything, as if by a stroke of the tongue, or of something which acts like a tongue; as, to put on colors with a lick of the brush. Also, a small quantity of any substance so applied. [Colloquial]
A lick of court whitewash.
3.
A place where salt is found on the surface of the earth, to which wild animals resort to lick it up; -- often, but not always, near salt springs. Called also salt lick. [United States]
Lick , transitive verb
[Compare OSw. lagga to place, strike, prick.]
To strike with repeated blows for punishment; to flog; to whip or conquer, as in a pugilistic encounter. [Colloquial or Low] — Carlyle
Lick , noun
A slap; a quick stroke. [Colloquial]
A lick across the face.