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.
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