English Explanatory Dictionary

caress

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
  2. A gentle stroking or rubbing.
verb
  1. To touch or kiss lovingly; to fondle.
  2. To affect as if with a caress.

Pronunciation

/kəˈɹɛs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-caress.wav

Word forms

caress caresses caressing caressed

Etymology

From French caresse, from Italian carezza (“dear”), from Latin cārus (“dear”), from Proto-Indo-European *keh₂-, akin to Sanskrit काम (kāma, “love”). Doublet of karezza.

Synonyms

hold soothe stroke kiss canoodle caress chuckle coax cosset dally dandle dawt faddle feel up fond fondle grabble grope nantle pet pettle shift smuggle tiddle touch up worship buss goozer lallygag lips lock lips osculate pash play tonsil hockey smooch snog suck face swap spit

Derived words

caressable caressingly caressive uncaressed
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