(verb) : lambo, bi, bitum (
* Perf. lambuerunt, Vulg. Jud. 7, 7 al.), 3, root lap-; Gr. λάπτω, λαφύσσω; Lat. labrum, labium; Germ. Löffel, spoon; Eng. lip, to lick, lap; to touch (class.; cf.: lingo, sugo, ligurio).
* Lit.: hi canes, quos tribunal meum vides lambere,Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 11, § 28: lagonae collum,Phaedr. 1, 25, 10: lambent cibos (pisces),Col. 8, 17, 11: manum,Mart. 4, 30, 4: sanguinem,Plin. Pan. 48, 3: crustula,Juv. 9, 5: jucundasque puer qui lamberat ore placentas, Lucil. ap. Prisc. 10, 3, 14: lambent sanguinem,to lick up, to lap,Vulg. 3 Reg. 21, 9; cf. id. Judic. 7, 5 al.: te gurgite mersum unda feret, piscesque inpastivulnera lambent,Verg. A. 10, 560.
* Transf., of a river, to flow by, to wash, bathe: vel quae loca fabulosus Lambit Hydaspes,washes,Hor. C. 1, 22, 7.—Of fire, to lick, to reach, play upon: flamma summum properabat lambere tectum,Hor. S. 1, 5, 73: innoxia mollis Lambere flamma comas (Iuli),Verg. A. 2, 684: Aetna attollit globos flammarum et sidera lambit,id. ib. 3, 574.—Of the ivy: quorum imagines lambunt hederae sequaces,to encircle,Pers. prol. 5: Tedia non lambit Cluviam,caress, fondle,Juv. 2, 49: tribunal unius legati,to fawn upon, court,Amm. 15, 3, 3.—In mal. part., Aus. Ep. 120, 1 et saep.

s. TLL