Licking ppl. a.

[f. LICK v. + -ING².] That licks. Of a flame: = LAMBENT. Also slang, first-rate, ‘splendid’ (cf. thumping, whacking).

1648.  [see GENTLE a. 10].

1680.  Cotton, Compl. Gamester, xiv. 91. I will briefly describe it [Bone-Ace], and the rather because it is a licking Game for Money.

1899.  E. Phillpotts, Human Boy, 182. The thing was, to make a licking big frame of light wood.