caress
verb
- stroke gently
noun
- a non-sexual act of physical intimacy involving touching and kissing
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /kəˈɹɛs/
noun
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.
- An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
“He exerted himself to win by indulgence and caresses the hearts of all who were under his command.”
“And he wooed her with his soft caresses, / Wooed her with his smile of sunshine, […]”
- A gentle stroking or rubbing.
verb
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.
- To touch or kiss lovingly; to fondle.
“She loves being caressed by her boyfriend.”
“The Guacho then goes up to him, caresses him, removes the poncho from his eyes, continues to caress him; so that, according to the notion of the country, the horse becomes [...]”
- To affect as if with a caress.
“The love and anguish in his voice caressed my mind and soul.”