lick

I. 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 licked every problem

> intransitive verb 1. to lap with or as if with the tongue 2. to dart like a tongue <

flames licking out of windows

> 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