v. & n.
v. 1 tr. strike or propel forcibly with the foot or hoof etc. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by at, against) a strike out with the foot. b express annoyance at or dislike of (treatment, a proposal etc.); rebel against. 3 tr. sl. give up (a habit). 4 tr. (often foll. by out etc.) expel or dismiss forcibly. 5 refl. be annoyed with oneself (I'll kick myself if I'm wrong). 6 tr. Football score (a goal) by a kick. 7 intr. Cricket (of a ball) rise sharply from the pitch.
n. 1 a a blow with the foot or hoof etc. b the delivery of such a blow. 2 colloq. a a sharp stimulant effect, esp. of alcohol (has some kick in it; a cocktail with a kick in it). b (often in pl.) a pleasurable thrill (did it just for kicks; got a kick out of flying). 3 strength, resilience (have no kick left). 4 colloq. a specified temporary interest or enthusiasm (on a jogging kick). 5 the recoil of a gun when discharged. 6 Brit. Football colloq. a player of specified kicking ability (is a good kick). kick about (or around) colloq. 1 a drift idly from place to place. b be unused or unwanted. 2 a treat roughly or scornfully. b discuss (an idea) unsystematically. kick against the pricks see PRICK. kick the bucket sl. die. kick-down a device for changing gear in a motor vehicle by full depression of the accelerator. kick one's heels see HEEL. kick in 1 knock down (a door etc.) by kicking. 2 esp. US sl. contribute (esp. money); pay one's share. kick in the pants (or teeth) colloq. a humiliating punishment or set-back. kick off 1 a Football begin or resume a match. b colloq. begin. 2 remove (shoes etc.) by kicking. kick-off 1 Football the start or resumption of a match. 2 (in for a kick-off) colloq. for a start (that's wrong for a kick-off). kick over the traces see TRACE(2). kick-pleat a pleat in a narrow skirt to allow freedom of movement. kick-turn a standing turn in skiing. kick up (or kick up a fuss, dust, etc.) create a disturbance; object or register strong disapproval. kick up one's heels frolic. kick a person upstairs shelve a person by giving him or her promotion or a title. kickable adj. kicker n.
[ ME kike, of unkn. orig. ]