1. 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).
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
kickable adj. kicker n.
Etymology: ME kike, of unkn. orig. 2. n. an indentation in the bottom of a glass bottle.
Etymology: 19th c.: orig. unkn.