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   lick

   /lɪk/

   verb

   • 1. pass the tongue over (something) in order to taste, moisten, or clean it: "he licked the stamp and stuck it on the envelope" Similar tonguewetmoistenwashcleantastelapslurp
   • ▪ (of a flame, wave, or breeze) move lightly and quickly like a tongue: "the flames licked around the wood" Similar flickerplayflickflitdartrippledance
   • 2. overcome (a person or problem) decisively: informal "all right Mary, I know when I'm licked" Similar overcomeget the better ofsolvefind an answer tofind a solution toconquerbeatquellcontrolgovernmastercurbcheckbridletame
   • ▪ beat or thrash (someone): "she stands tall and could lick any man in the place" Similar defeatbeatbestconquertrouncethrashroutvanquishovercomeoverwhelmoverpowerdestroydrubget the better oftriumph overprevail overgain a victory overwin over/againstworstsubduequashcrushinformal:slaughtermurderkillclobberhammerwhippastecrucifydemolishwipe the floor withmake mincemeat oftake to the cleanerswalk (all) overrun rings aroundstuffmarmalizeshellacskunkown
   • ▪ cut or knock someone or something down: West Indian "the boy was quiet, but if you cross he path, he lick you down"

   noun

   • 1. an act of licking something with the tongue: "Sammy gave his fingers a lick"
   • ▪ a quick movement of flame, water, etc.: "a tiny lick of flame flickered round the mouth of the flamethrower"
   • 2. a light coating or quick application of something, especially paint: informal "she needed to give the kitchen a lick of paint" Similar dabbitdropdashspottouchhintdribblesplashsprinkletricklelittleinformal:smidgentadOpposite lashings
   • ▪ an extremely small amount of something abstract: US "there's not a lick of suspense in the entire plot"
   • 3. a short phrase or solo in jazz or popular music: informal "cool guitar licks"
   • 4. a smart blow: informal "his mother gave him several licks for daring to blaspheme"
   • ▪ punishment, criticism, or heavy defeat: "you rejoice when you win and take your licks when you lose"

   Word Origin Old Englishliccian, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch likken and German lecken, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek leikhein and Latin lingere.

   Derivatives

   • 1. licker noun

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • C

     3

   • K

     5

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