Licking

Licking is the action, usually by an animal, including a human, using its tongue to pass over or along a surface or to take in liquid.

Animals will lick the bodies of themselves and other of their species to groom themselves.

Humans and animals sometimes consume food and drinks by licking: humans lick e.g. an ice cream or lollipop, animals often drink by licking. For humans, licking a plate to eat the last bits of food is often considered uncivilized.

Humans often lick things to wet them, e.g. stamps or envelopes, and a finger to make it less slippery, e.g. to turn a page, or otherwise separate sheets of papers.

Humans may also lick their sexual partner for sensual pleasure (see oral sex).

Sometimes food or a drink (e.g. whipped cream or a jello shot) is put on a person, and somebody else licks it off, combining sensual pleasure and the pleasure of consuming the food or drink.

• Licking may also describe the rapid or lapping effect of water or flames of fire: the water licked the side of the boat.

• A lick can also often describe the appliance of a substance such as paint: a lick of paint.

• A lick can also be a hard stroke or swat, usually with an implement (maybe because it causes a burning sensation, and/or because it reddens the skin, as in 'tanning'), as part of a spanking etcetera
  • Hence a licking can mean a corporal punishment comprising several painful licks.