Part 507

To kick the beam, to fit up and strike the beam; -- said of the lighter arm of a loaded balance; hence, to be found wanting in weight. Milton. -- To kick the bucket, to lose one's life; to die. [Colloq. & Low]

Kick, v. i. 1. To thrust out the foot or feet with violence; to strike out with the foot or feet, as in defense or in bad temper; esp., to strike backward, as a horse does, or to have a habit of doing so. Hence, figuratively: To show ugly resistance, opposition, or hostility; to spurn.

I should kick, being kicked.

Shak.

2. To recoil; -- said of a musket, cannon, etc.

Kick, n. 1. A blow with the foot or feet; a striking or thrust with the foot.

A kick, that scarce would move a horse, May kill a sound divine.

Cowper.

2. The projection on the tang of the blade of a pocket knife, which prevents the edge of the blade from striking the spring. See Illust. of Pocketknife.

3. (Brickmaking) A projection in a mold, to form a depression in the surface of the brick.

4. The recoil of a musket or other firearm, when discharged.

Kick"a*ble (?), a. Capable or deserving of being kicked. "A kickable boy." G. Eliot.

Kick`a*poos" (?), n. pl.; sing. Kickapoo (&?;). (Ethnol.) A tribe of Indians which formerly occupied the region of Northern Illinois, allied in language to the Sacs and Foxes.

Kick"er, n. One who, or that which, kicks.

Kick"shaw` (?), n. See Kickshaws, the correct singular.

Kick"shaws` (?), n.; pl. Kickshawses (#) [Corrupt. fr. F. quelque chose something, fr. L. qualis of what kind (akin to E. which) + suffix -guam + causa cause, in LL., a thing. See Which, and Cause.] 1. Something fantastical; any trifling, trumpery thing; a toy.

Art thou good at these kickshawses!

Shak.

2. A fancy dish; a titbit; a delicacy.

Some pigeons, . . . a joint of mutton, and any pretty little tiny kickshaws.

Shak.

Cressy was lost by kickshaws and soup- maigre.

Fenton.

Kick"shoe` (?), n. A kickshaws. Milton.

{ Kick"sy-wick`sy (?), Kick"y-wisk`y (?) }, n. That which is restless and uneasy.

Kicky-wicky, or, in some editions, Kicksy- wicksy, is applied contemptuously to a wife by Shakespeare, in "All's Well that Ends Well," ii. 3, 297.

Kick"sy-wick`sy, a. Fantastic; restless; as, kicksy-wicksy flames. Nares.

Kick"up (?), n. (Zoöl.) The water thrush or accentor. [Local, West Indies]