Lick Definition
lĭk
licked, licking, licks
verb
licked, licking, licks
To pass the tongue over.
To lick one's lips.
Webster's New World
To bring into a certain condition by passing the tongue over.
To lick one's fingers clean.
Webster's New World
To lap up.
The cat licked the milk from the bowl.
American Heritage
To pass lightly over like a tongue.
Flames licking the logs.
Webster's New World
To whip; thrash.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
noun
licks
The act or an instance of licking with the tongue.
Webster's New World
An amount obtained by licking.
A lick of ice cream.
American Heritage
A small quantity.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
A deposit of exposed natural salt that is licked by passing animals.
American Heritage
idiom
lick and a promise
- A superficial effort made without care or enthusiasm.
American Heritage
lick into shape
- To bring into satisfactory condition or appearance.
American Heritage
lick (one's) chops
- To anticipate delightedly.
American Heritage
lick (one's) wounds
- To recuperate after a defeat.
American Heritage
lick (someone's) boots
- To behave in a servile or obsequious manner toward someone.
American Heritage
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Lick
Origin of Lick
-
Middle English licken from Old English liccian leigh- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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