/ Dictionary / Index K kick: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: kick Pronunciation: (kik), [key] — v.t. to strike with the foot or feet: to kick the ball; to kick someone in the shins. to drive, force, make, etc., by or as if by kicks. to score (a field goal or a conversion) by place-kicking or drop-kicking the ball. to make (a car) increase in speed, esp. in auto racing: He kicked his car into high gear. to strike in recoiling: The gun kicked his shoulder. to give up or break (a drug addiction): Has he kicked the habit? raise (def. 24). to reject as a suitor; jilt: He courted her for two years —then she kicked him. —v.i. to make a rapid, forceful thrust with the foot or feet: He kicked at the ball. You have to kick rapidly when using a crawl stroke. to have a tendency to strike with the foot or feet: That horse kicks when you walk into his stall. to resist, object, or complain: What's he got to kick about? to recoil, as a firearm when fired. to be actively or vigorously involved: He's still alive and kicking. to move from place to place frequently: He kicked about a good deal before settling down. We kicked around various ideas for raising money. to treat (someone) harshly or inconsiderately. to consider, discuss, or speculate about (a proposal, project, etc.):We kicked around various ideas for raising money. to experiment with. to pass time idly; wander from place to place aimlessly:We just kicked around for a year after college. to remain unused, unemployed, or unnoticed:The script has been kicking around for years. . to act harshly or use force in order to gain a desired result. to defeat soundly. Let's just kick back and enjoy the weekend. to recoil, esp. vigorously or unexpectedly. Informal.to give someone a kickback. Slang.to return (stolen property, money, etc.) to the owner. to relax:Let's just kick back and enjoy the weekend. The air conditioning kicks in when the temperature reaches 80°F. to contribute one's share, esp. in money. Slang.to die. to become operational; activate; go into effect:The air conditioning kicks in when the temperature reaches 80°F. The Giants won the toss and elected to kick off. Football.to begin play or begin play again by a kickoff:The Giants won the toss and elected to kick off. Slang.to die. to initiate (an undertaking, meeting, etc.); begin:A rally tomorrow night will kick off the campaign. to switch on; turn on: He kicked on the motor and we began to move. They have been kicked out of the country club. to oust or eject:They have been kicked out of the country club. to fail; give out:The power kicked out and the room went black. to separate off, as for review or inspection:The computer kicked out the information in a split second. Surfing.to turn a surfboard by shifting the weight to the rear, causing the surfboard to come down over the top of a wave, in order to stop a ride. (of an internal-combustion engine) to begin ignition; turn over: The engine kicked over a few times but we couldn't get it started. See (def. 3). See(def. 11). to give a donation; contribute. They kicked up a tremendous row. to drive or force upward by kicking. to stir up (trouble); make or cause (a disturbance, scene, etc.):They kicked up a tremendous row. (esp. of a machine part) to move rapidly upward:The lever kicks up, engaging the gear. See(def. 5). —n. the act of kicking; a blow or thrust with the foot or feet. power or disposition to kick: That horse has a mean kick. an objection or complaint. His biggest kick comes from telling about the victory. thrill; pleasurable excitement:His biggest kick comes from telling about the victory. a strong but temporary interest, often an activity:Making mobiles is his latest kick. a stimulating or intoxicating quality in alcoholic drink. vim, vigor, or energy. place kick. an instance of kicking the ball. any method of kicking the ball:place kick. a kicked ball. the distance such a ball travels. a turn at kicking the ball. a recoil, as of a gun. a pocket: He kept his wallet in his side kick. shoes. a solid glass base or an indentation at the base of drinking glasses, bottles, etc., that reduces the liquid capacity of the glassware. Also,punt.an indentation at the base of a wine bottle, originally for trapping the sediment. . See(def. 39a). I think you'll like her, she's a real kick in the pants. someone or something that is very exciting, enjoyable, amusing, etc.:I think you'll like her, she's a real kick in the pants. Seekick(def. 40). an abrupt, often humiliating setback; rebuff: Her refusal even to talk to me was a kick in the teeth. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: kick (Thesaurus) kibosh Kickapoo Related Content Daily Word Quiz: irreparable Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language