lick

/lik/

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The word "lick" can be used as both a noun and a verb, and it has different meanings depending on the context. Let's break it down:

1. Basic Definition:

• Verb: To take something up with the tongue. For example, when a dog licks, it uses its tongue to touch or clean something.
• Noun: It can also refer to the action of licking or a blow in boxing.

2. Usage Instructions:

• As a verb: You can use "lick" when talking about animals or people using their tongues.
• As a noun: You can use "lick" to describe the action itself or when referring to a hit in a boxing match.

3. Examples:

• Verb:
  • "The cat licked the milk from the bowl."
  • "The dog licked my hand."
• Noun:
  • "The dog gave a quick lick to my face."
  • "In the boxing match, he delivered a powerful lick to his opponent."

4. Advanced Usage:

• Figurative Meaning: "Lick" can also mean to solve a problem or to defeat someone. For example:
  • "We need to lick this problem before it gets worse."
  • "We licked the other team in the championship game."

5. Word Variants:

• Licked: The past tense of lick.
  • Example: "She licked the ice cream cone."
• Licking: The present participle form.
  • Example: "The dog is licking its paws."

6. Different Meanings:

• In informal contexts, "to lick" can mean to defeat someone in a competition.
• It can also refer to the act of cleaning something with your tongue.

7. Synonyms:

• For the action of licking: "slurp," "suck," "taste."
• For the boxing context: "hit," "blow," "strike."

8. Idioms:

• "Lick someone into shape": To improve someone’s skills or behavior.
• "Lick your wounds": To recover from a defeat or disappointment.

9. Phrasal Verbs:

There aren’t many common phrasal verbs with "lick," but "lick up" could be used informally to mean to consume something quickly using the tongue, like "The dog licked up the spilled food."

Summary:

"Lick" is a versatile word that can describe an action involving the tongue or be used in competitive contexts.

Academic

Noun

1. (boxing) a blow with the fist
   • I gave him a clout on his nose
2. touching with the tongue
   • the dog's laps were warm and wet
3. a salt deposit that animals regularly lick

Verb

1. take up with the tongue
   • The cat lapped up the milk
   • the cub licked the milk from its mother's breast
2. find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
   • did you solve the problem?
   • Work out your problems with the boss
   • this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out
   • did you get it?
   • Did you get my meaning?
   • He could not work the math problem
3. pass the tongue over
   • the dog licked her hand
4. beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
   • We licked the other team on Sunday!

Synonyms

• punch
• clout
• poke
• biff
• slug
• lap
• salt lick
• lap up
• solve
• work out
• figure out
• puzzle out
• work
• cream
• bat
• clobber
• drub
• thrash