1. Word finder
  2. Word definitions
  3. to lick the dust

Find the word definition

What is "to lick the dust"

The Collaborative International Dictionary
To lick the dust

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.