Licking

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

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.

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

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