verb

leccare

lick

Leccare means “to lick”: to move the tongue over a surface, often to taste, clean, or moisten it.

Figuratively, it can describe flames, waves, or light touching a surface lightly.

A regular -are verb, derived from an expressive root associated with the action of licking. It is usually transitive: it takes a direct object.

lambire means “to brush against” or “lap at” lightly. It is often used figuratively for water or flames.
adulare means “to flatter.” It overlaps with leccare only in figurative expressions about seeking favor.

There is no common direct antonym.

leccarsi le labbra — to lick one’s lips.
leccarsi i baffi — to relish something, especially food; literally, “to lick one’s whiskers.”
leccare i piedi a qualcuno — to flatter or fawn over someone excessively.

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Perché i cani leccano sempre le mani delle persone?verb

Why do dogs always lick people's hands?

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