licking

[ lik-ing ]

noun

1. Informal.
   1. a beating or thrashing.
   2. a reversal or disappointment; defeat or setback.
2. the act of a person or thing that licks.

licking

/ ˈlɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. a beating
2. a defeat

Other Words From

• non·licking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of licking¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; lick, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

With these devices, you can keep tabs on your pet’s activity levels, calories, distance traveled, and even behaviors such as excessive licking or scratching.

From Popular-Science

If you have active kids or pets, or you’re just not particularly precious with your belongings, pick a hardy microfiber that can take a licking.

From Popular-Science

Tim Mathern, a longtime North Dakota state Senator came to the event thinking that it was “all about licking our wounds.”

From The Daily Beast

Marabella, now licking her lollipop and tapping her foot, appears unfazed.

From The Daily Beast

Democratic pundits had spent hours licking their wounds vowing comeuppance.

From The Daily Beast

The mom was looking at her phone and the kid just started licking.

From The Daily Beast

She becomes obsessed with bodily fluids, often inserting her fingers into various orifices before licking them clean.

From The Daily Beast

The bear watched him narrowly with its wicked little eyes, though it did not see fit to cease its paw-licking.

From Project Gutenberg

Cant expect money before its due, I spose, said the old man, licking his thin lips.

From Project Gutenberg

Somewhere in these woods he must be lying, resting those ponderous paws and licking his bloody flanks.

From Project Gutenberg

With his head between his fore-paws and one eye closed, he watches the tiny tongue of flame licking up the last coal.

From Project Gutenberg

He was at last discovered on the banks of the Ganges, standing near a human body, which he kept licking.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• whipping