Lick — Defs

01 v. t. To draw or pass the tongue over; as, a dog licks his master's hand.

imp. & p. p. Licked; p. pr. & vb. n. Licking

Phrases & compounds

To lick the dust — to be slain; to fall in battle.

To lick into shape — to give proper form to; -- from a notion that the bear's cubs are born shapeless and subsequently formed by licking.

To lick the spittle of — to fawn upon.

To lick up — to take all of by licking; to devour; to consume entirely.

02 n. A stroke of the tongue in licking.

1.
A stroke of the tongue in licking.
2.
A quick and careless application of anything, as if by a stroke of the tongue, or of something which acts like a tongue; as, to put on colors with a lick of the brush. Also, a small quantity of any substance so applied.[Colloq.]
“A lick of court whitewash.” — Gray.
3.
A place where salt is found on the surface of the earth, to which wild animals resort to lick it up; -- often, but not always, near salt springs. Called also salt lick.[U. S.] Also: salt lick

03 v. t. To strike with repeated blows for punishment; to flog; to whip or conquer, as in a pugilistic encounter.

1.
To strike with repeated blows for punishment; to flog; to whip or conquer, as in a pugilistic encounter.[Colloq. or Low]

04 n. A slap; a quick stroke.