lick Definition

lick
verb licked, licking

1. To pass the tongue over in order to moisten, taste or clean.

Thesaurus: taste, tongue.
2. Often said of flames: to flicker over or around.

Thesaurus: dart, play over, touch.
3. colloq
To defeat.
Thesaurus: vanquish, win, beat, overwhelm, wallop, smash, whip, thrash, beat, subdue, conquer.
4. colloq
To beat or hit repeatedly.

noun

1. An act of licking with the tongue.
2. colloq
A small amount.
3. colloq
A quick speed.
Example: drove away at some lick
4. colloq
A sharp blow.

Idiom: a lick and a promise

colloq
A short and not very thorough wash.

Idiom: lick into shape

colloq
To make more efficient or satisfactory.

Idiom: lick one's lips (lick one's chops)

colloq
To look forward to something with relish.

Idiom: lick one's wounds

To recover after having been thoroughly defeated or humiliated.

Idiom: lick the dust

To die.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon liccian.