licking

(noun) an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest. Synonyms: defeat. Examples: "It was a narrow defeat." "The army's only defeat." "They suffered a convincing licking."

(noun) the act of inflicting corporal punishment with repeated blows. Synonyms: beating, thrashing, drubbing, lacing, trouncing, whacking.

(verb) beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight. Synonyms: cream, bat, clobber, drub, thrash, lick. Examples: "We licked the other team on sunday!."

(verb) pass the tongue over. Synonyms: lick, lap. Examples: "The dog licked her hand."

(verb) find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of. Synonyms: solve, work out, figure out, puzzle out, lick, work. Examples: "Did you solve the problem?." "Work out your problems with the boss." "This unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out." "Did you get it?." "Did you get my meaning?." "He could not work the math problem."

(verb) take up with the tongue. Synonyms: lap, lap up, lick. Examples: "The cat lapped up the milk." "The cub licked the milk from its mother's breast."