likittää

Likittää is a Finnish verb that primarily means to lick. It can be used in a literal sense to describe the action of passing the tongue over something, such as a person or animal licking food or a child licking an ice cream cone. The verb can also be used metaphorically.

In a figurative sense, likittää can imply to flatter or fawn over someone, often in an insincere or sycophantic manner, aiming to gain favor or advantage. This usage suggests a degree of subservience or excessive admiration. For example, someone might likittää their boss to get a promotion.

The verb can also refer to the sound produced by licking, such as the wet sound of a tongue. In some contexts, it might also describe a more intense or prolonged licking action. The etymology of the word is related to the Proto-Finnic word *likta, meaning to lick. While the core meaning remains consistent, the nuances of its usage can vary depending on the specific context in which it is employed, carrying both literal and figurative interpretations.