I. ˈlik verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English liccian; akin to Old High German leckōn to lick, Latin lingere, Greek leichein
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to draw the tongue over
lick a stamp
(2) : to flicker over like a tongue
b. : to take into the mouth with the tongue : lap
2.
a. : to strike repeatedly : thrash
b. : to get the better of : overcome , defeat
has lick ed every problem
intransitive verb
1. : to lap with or as if with the tongue
2. : to dart like a tongue
flames lick ing out of windows
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- lick into shape
- lick one's chops
- lick one's wounds
II. noun
Date: 1603
1.
a. : an act or instance of licking
b. : a small amount : bit
couldn't swim a lick
c. : a hasty careless effort
2.
a. : a sharp hit : blow
b. : a directed effort : crack — usually used in plural; usually used in the phrase get in one's licks
3.
a. : a natural salt deposit (as a salt spring) that animals lick
b. : a block of often medicated saline preparation given to livestock to lick
4. : a musical figure ; specifically : an interpolated and usually improvised figure or flourish
5. : a critical thrust : dig , barb
•
- lick and a promise