I.perf. lambuerunt, Vulg. Jud. 7, 7 al.), 3, v. a. root lap-; Gr. λάπτω, λαφύσσω; Lat. labrum, labium; Germ. Löffel, spoon; Eng. lip, to lick, lap; to touch (class.; cf.: lingo, sugo, ligurio).
I. 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.—
II. 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.
