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What is "to lick into shape"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To lick into shape

Lick \Lick\ (l[i^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Licked (l[i^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Licking.] [AS. liccian; akin to OS. likk[=o]n, D. likken, OHG. lecch[=o]n, G. lecken, Goth. bi-laig[=o]n, Russ. lizate, L. lingere, Gr. lei`chein, Skr. lih, rih.

  1. To draw or pass the tongue over; as, a dog licks his master's hand.
    --Addison.

  2. To lap; to take in with the tongue; as, a dog or cat licks milk.
    --Shak.

    To lick the dust, to be slain; to fall in battle. ``His enemies shall lick the dust.''
    --Ps. lxxii. 9.

    To lick into shape, to give proper form to; -- from a notion that the bear's cubs are born shapeless and subsequently formed by licking.
    --Hudibras.

    To lick the spittle of, to fawn upon.
    --South.

    To lick up, to take all of by licking; to devour; to consume entirely.
    --Shak.
    --Num. xxii. 4.