lick (l k)v. licked, lick·ing, licks v.tr.1. To pass the tongue over or along: lick a stamp. 2. To lap up. 3. To lap or flicker at like a tongue: The waves licked the sides of the boat. 4. Slang To punish with a beating; thrash. 5. Slang To get the better of; defeat: licked her weight problem. v.intr. To pass or lap quickly and rapidly: The flames licked at our feet. n.1. The act or process of licking. 2. An amount obtained by licking: a lick of ice cream. 3. A small quantity; a bit: hasn't got a lick of common sense. 4. A deposit of exposed natural salt that is licked by passing animals. 5. A sudden hard stroke; a blow. 6. An attempt; a try. 7. Informal Speed; pace: moving along at a good lick. 8. Music A phrase improvised by a soloist, especially on the guitar or banjo. Idioms: lick and a promise A superficial effort made without care or enthusiasm. lick into shape Informal To bring into satisfactory condition or appearance. lick (one's) chops To anticipate delightedly. lick (one's) wounds To recuperate after a defeat. lick (someone's) boots To behave in a servile or obsequious manner toward someone.
[Middle English licken, from Old English liccian; see leigh- in Indo-European roots.]
lick er n. |
lick Verb 1. to pass the tongue over in order to taste, wet, or clean 2. to flicker over or round (something): flames licked the gutters 3. Informal a. to defeat b. to thrash 4. lick into shape to put into a satisfactory condition 5. lick one's wounds to retire after a defeat Noun 1. an instance of passing the tongue over something 2. a small amount: a lick of paint 3. Informal a blow 4. Informal a fast pace: a pulsating rhythm taken at a lick 5. a lick and a promise something hastily done, esp. a hurried wash [Old English liccian]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | lick - a salt deposit that animals regularly lick | | 2. | lick - touching with the tongue; "the dog's laps were warm and wet"touching, touch - the act of putting two things together with no space between them; "at his touch the room filled with lights" | | 3. | lick - (boxing) a blow with the fist; "I gave him a clout on his nose"hook - a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent jab - a quick short straight punch rabbit punch - a short chopping blow to the back of the neck blow - a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon; "a blow on the head" | | Verb | 1. | lick - beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight; "We licked the other team on Sunday!"beat, beat out, vanquish, trounce, crush, shell - come out better in a competition, race, or conflict; "Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship"; "We beat the competition"; "Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game" | | 2. | lick - pass the tongue over; "the dog licked her hand"stroke - touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions; "He stroked his long beard" tongue - lick or explore with the tongue | | 3. | lick - find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of; "did you solve the problem?"; "Work out your problems with the boss"; "this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"; "did you get it?"; "Did you get my meaning?"; "He could not work the math problem"understand - know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means" answer, resolve - understand the meaning of; "The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered" strike - arrive at after reckoning, deliberating, and weighing; "strike a balance"; "strike a bargain" guess, infer - guess correctly; solve by guessing; "He guessed the right number of beans in the jar and won the prize" answer - give the correct answer or solution to; "answer a question"; "answer the riddle" break - find the solution or key to; "break the code" | | 4. | lick - take up with the tongue; "The cat lapped up the milk"; "the cub licked the milk from its mother's breast"drink, imbibe - take in liquids; "The patient must drink several liters each day"; "The children like to drink soda" |
lick verb 2. ( Informal) beat, defeat, overcome, best, top, stuff ( slang) tank ( slang) undo, rout, excel, surpass, outstrip, outdo, trounce, clobber ( slang) vanquish, run rings around ( informal) wipe the floor with ( informal) blow out of the water ( slang)
Translations lick [lɪk] vt → lamer; n → lamedura;
lick [lɪk] vt → lécher;
lick [lɪk] vt → lecken [+ stamp etc]; lecken an +dat;
lick [lɪk] vt → leccare; n → leccata;
|
|