noun

lick

A rate of movement or activity.

The truck moves down the highway at a pretty good lick.

Etymology

Lick has been used for a stroke or burst of effort. Its rate sense concerns the pace of those actions, as when something proceeds at a fast lick.

More examples

  • She gets through her paperwork at a fair lick.
  • The horse trots along at a good lick.
  • At this lick, we'll finish before lunch.

Forms

lick · licks

Similar words

pace
The usual word for speed of movement or progress.
rate
Measures activity against time, often with a specific number.
speed
Refers directly to how fast someone or something moves.