Licking: meaning, definitions and examples

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licking

 

[ หˆlษชkษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

action of taste

Licking is the act of using the tongue to touch something, often for the purpose of tasting it. This action is common in many animals, including humans, and serves various functions such as eating, grooming, or exploring the environment. Licking can also have emotional connotations, such as affection in pets or a nervous habit in humans. In some cultures, licking is seen as a sign of submission or affection.

Synonyms

dab, scoop, taste

Examples of usage

  • The dog was licking its owner's face happily.
  • She was licking the ice cream cone on a hot day.
  • He often licks his lips when he is nervous.

Translations

Translations of the word "licking" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lamber

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเฅ€เคชเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช lecken

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menjilati

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะธะทะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ lizanie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ˆใ‚ใ‚‹ (ใชใ‚ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lรฉcher

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lamer

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yalayarak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ•ฅ๋‹ค (haltada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ูŠุนู‚ (layaq)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ olizovat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ olizovaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ˆ” (tiวŽn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ lizati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sleikja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถั‹ะปะถั‹ั‚ัƒ (zhyldyru)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒแƒ•แƒ (ts'ova)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lษ™zzษ™t almaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lamer

Word origin

The word 'lick' dates back to Old English 'liccian', which means 'to lick, to touch with the tongue'. It has roots in Proto-Germanic '*lukลnฤ…', which also meant to lick. Over the centuries, the term has evolved in its usage but fundamentally retained its original meaning. In various Indo-European languages, similar words exist that denote the action of using the tongue to taste or clean. The evolution of the word is closely tied to the natural behavior of many species that rely on licking for various purposes such as grooming, feeding, and social interaction. In addition to its literal meaning, the term has figurative uses in English, where it can describe a person who shows a devout or submissive behavior or to refer to the act of striking or touching lightly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,110, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.