lick

• Nom désignant l'action de passer la langue sur une surface, ou une petite quantité de quelque chose appliquée par ce geste.

A noun referring to an act of passing the tongue over a surface, or a small amount of something applied by such an action.

1. Tongue actionA2formal

   An act of passing the tongue over a surface, typically to taste or moisten.

   coup de langue

   • The cat gave the bowl a quick lick.
   • He took a lick of the ice cream cone.
   • She gave the stamp a lick before sticking it on the envelope.

   Synonymeslap

2. B1informal

   A small amount or bit of something, often used informally.

   Petite quantité

   • He didn't do a lick of work all day.
   • There's not a lick of truth in that rumor.
   • She added a lick of paint to the old chair.

   Synonymesbitdabdrophintiotajotmitescrapsmidgensplashspottouch

3. Music phraseB2informalart

   A short, distinctive musical phrase or solo, especially in jazz or rock.

   Phrase musicale

   • The guitarist played a cool lick during the solo.
   • He practiced that blues lick for hours.
   • The song has a catchy guitar lick in the chorus.

   Synonymesfigurefilllinephraseriff

• Verbe désignant l'action de passer la langue sur une surface, ou, dans un contexte informel, le fait de vaincre ou surmonter nettement quelqu'un.

A verb used to indicate the act of passing the tongue over a surface, or in informal contexts, to defeat or overcome someone decisively.

1. Pass tongue overA2formal

   To move the tongue across a surface, typically to taste, clean, or moisten something.

   passer la langue sur

   • The cat licked its paw clean.
   • He licked the ice cream cone slowly.
   • She licked the stamp before sticking it on the envelope.

   Synonymeslaptongue

2. Defeat or overcomeB2informal

   To defeat someone or something decisively in a competition or conflict.

   Battre à plate couture

   • Our team licked the opposition in the final match.
   • He managed to lick his addiction to smoking.
   • The company licked its competitors with a better product.

   Synonymesbeatclobberconquerdefeatdrubhammerroutthrashtrouncevanquish

3. Pass over lightlyC1formal

   To move lightly and quickly over a surface, like flames or waves.

   lécher (en passant)

   • Flames licked the walls of the burning house.
   • Waves licked the shore gently.
   • The breeze licked her face as she stood on the cliff.

   Synonymesbrushflickerlapplaytouchwash