ppl. a. [UN-1 8. Cf. Du. ongelikt, G. ungeleckt.]
1. Not licked into shape. (See LICK v. 4.) Chiefly fig., esp. with cub (or whelp).
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. ii. 161. Like to … an vn-lick’d Beare-whelpe, That carryes no impression like the Damme.
c. 1618. Moryson, Itin., IV. (1903), 1. Being drawne to the writing hereof … out of a naturall affection to give all the members to this my unlicked whelpe.
1687. Dryden, Hind & P., I. 36. The bloudy Bear, an Independent beast, Unlick’d to form, in groans her hate express’d.
1687. [see CUB sb. 3].
1728. Vanbr. & Cib., Prov. Husb., II. i. The Son is an unlick’d Whelp, about sixteen.
1795[?]. Coleridge, After a Walk bef. Supper, 30. A little ape with huge she-bear…: An unlicked mass the one—the other An antic huge.
1845. [see prec.].
1871. Besant & Rice, Ready-money Mort., x. You know, Polly, what an unlicked cub I was when I married you.
b. fig. Not reduced to form or order; unfinished, unpolished, rude or crude.
1661. Boyle, Style of Script., 185. Confus’d Notions, and Abortive or Unlick’á Conceptions.
1682. Dryden, Abs. & Achit., II. 502. But thou in Clumsy verse, unlickt, unpointed, Hast shamefully defi’d the Lord’s Anointed.
1758. Wesley, Wks. (1872), II. 457. I rode back … to put the society there (an unlicked mass) into some form.
1773. Mme. D’Arblay, Early Diary, Oct. I saw … the appearance of unlicked nature in all his motions.
1835. Lamb, Elia, II. Pref. My late friend’s writings … are … a sort of unlicked, incondite things.
2. Not licked.
1861. L. L. Noble, Icebergs, 296. Poor Pussy,… a creature of backbone and ribs, coated with fur unlicked and scorched.
1895. R. W. Chambers, King in Yellow, Str. Four Winds, i, [The cat’s] purple tongue travelled over every unlicked spot … [of] the saucer.
