King James Bible Dictionary

LICK, verb transitive [Latin lingo; Gr. See Like and Sleek.]

1. To pass or draw the tongue over the surface; as, a dog licks a wound.

2. To lap; to take in by the tongue; as, a dog or cat licks milk. 1 Kings 21:19.

To lick up, to devour; to consume entirely.

Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as an ox licketh up the grass of the field. Numbers 22:4.

To lick the dust, to be slain; to perish in battle.

His enemies shall lick the dust. Psalms 72:9.

LICK, noun In America, a place where beasts of the forest lick for salt, at salt springs.

LICK, noun

1. A blow; a stroke. [Not an elegant word.]

2. A wash; something rubbed on. [Not in use.]

LICK, verb transitive To strike repeatedly for punishment; to flog; to chastise with blows. [Not an elegant word; but probably flog, Latin fligo, is from the root of this word.]

LICK'ER, noun One that licks.

LICK'ERISH, adjective [Gr. sweet. The sense of watery, smooth, sweet, are allied; likeness is often connected with smoothness in radical sense, and sleek is probably from the root of lick, like.]

1. Nice in the choice of food; dainty; as a lickerish palate.

2. Eager; greedy to swallow; eager to taste or enjoy; having a keen relish.

3. Dainty; tempting the appetite; as lickerish baits.

LICK'ERISHLY, adverb Daintly.

LICK'ERISHNESS, noun Niceness of palate; daintiness.