lick
UK: lɪk | US: lɪk
vt. to pass the tongue over something (e.g., to lick a lollipop)
n. the act of licking
n. (informal) a small amount (e.g., a lick of paint)
n. (music, informal) a short improvised musical phrase
The word "lick" traces back to Old English liccian, meaning "to pass the tongue over." It is a Germanic residue word with a compact structure, likely imitative in origin (reflecting the sound or motion of licking). Unlike compound words, it cannot be split further without losing its original spelling integrity. Over time, its meanings expanded metaphorically, such as in music ("a lick") or colloquial expressions ("a lick of paint").
The dog eagerly licked the peanut butter off the spoon.
She gave the envelope a quick lick to seal it.
The guitarist played a fiery blues lick during the solo.
The wall just needs a lick of paint to look fresh.
He licked his lips in anticipation of the delicious meal.