to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat (often fol. by up, off, from, etc.)

to lick a postage stamp; to lick an ice-cream cone.

to make, or cause to become, by stroking with the tongue

to lick a spoon clean.

(of waves, flames, etc.) to pass or play lightly over

The flame licked the dry timber.

Informal .

to hit or beat, esp. as a punishment; thrash; whip.

to overcome or defeat, as in a fight, game, or contest.

to outdo or surpass.

to move quickly or lightly.

a stroke of the tongue over something.

as much as can be taken up by one stroke of the tongue.

salt lick.

Informal .

a blow.

a brief, brisk burst of activity or energy.

a quick pace or clip; speed.

a small amount

I haven't done a lick of work all week.

Usually, licks. a critical or complaining remark.

Usually, licks. Jazz Slang . a musical phrase, as by a soloist in improvising. ?

lick up, to lap up; devour greedily. ?

last licks

a final turn or opportunity

We got in our last licks on the tennis court before the vacation ended.

lick and a promise

a hasty and perfunctory performance in doing something

I didn't have time to clean thoroughly, so I gave the room a lick and a promise.

lick ass

Slang

Vulgar kiss def. 17

lick into shape, Informal . to bring to completion or perfection through discipline, hard work

etc.

They needed another rehearsal to lick the production into shape.

lick one's chops. chop 3 ( def. 7 ) .

lick one's wounds. wound 1 ( def. 6 ) .

lick the dust. dust ( def. 23 ) .

verb

lose

noun

bit , brush , cast , dab , dash , hint , sample , smack , speck , stroke , suggestion , taste , tinge , trace , whiff , bang , clout , crack , hit , pound , slug , sock , swat , thwack , welt , whack , wham , whop

verb

brush , calm , caress , fondle , glance , gloss , graze , lap , lap against , move over , osculate , pass over , play , quiet , ripple , rub , soothe , stroke , sweep , taste , tongue , touch , wash , blaze , burn , dart , flick , flicker , fluctuate , flutter , ignite , kindle , leap , palpitate , quiver , run over , shoot , tremble , vacillate , vibrate , waver , beat , best , clobber , conquer , down , excel , flog , hit , hurdle , lambaste , master , outdo , outstrip , overcome , overwhelm , rout , slap , smear , smother , spank , strike , surmount , surpass , thrash , throw , top , trim , trounce , vanquish , wallop , whip , hide , lash , prevail against , subdue , subjugate , triumph over , worst , (colloq.) flog , castigate , chastise , defeat , drub. whip , punch , shellac , smack , speed , trace , win