caress

[kuh-res]

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noun

an act or gesture expressing affection, as an embrace or kiss, especially a light stroking or touching.

verb (used with object)

to touch or pat gently to show affection.
to touch, stroke, etc., lightly, as if in affection: The breeze caressed the trees.
to treat with favor, kindness, etc.

Origin of caress

1605–15; < French caresse < Italian carezza < Vulgar Latin *caritia, equivalent to Latin cār(us) dear + -itia suffix of abstract nouns; cf. charity

Related formsca·ress·a·ble, adjectiveca·ress·er, nounca·ress·ing·ly, adverbun·ca·ressed, adjectiveun·ca·ress·ing, adjectiveun·ca·ress·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms for caress

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1. pat, fondling, hug.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for caressed

fondle, nuzzle, pat, rub, clutch, graze, cuddle, kiss, massage, toy, handle, neck, mug, pet, buss, clinch, cosset, dandle, feel, stroke

Examples from the Web for caressed

Contemporary Examples of caressed

Had one reached out and caressed the other, would that have been an assault?
Why These Marines Love ‘Frozen’—and Why It Matters
Aaron B. O’Connell
June 27, 2014
He climbed down from the chair and squatting on the floor, took the creature into his arms and caressed her.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show
Robert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
There was a way that it caressed her body and the pleats hung just so, brushing the tops of her feet like a soft whisper.
My Mother's Last Sari
Madhulika Sikka
May 7, 2010
“If you wanted to make it with somebody, you reached over and caressed their leg,” said Levenson.
The Studio 54 of Sex
Jon Hart
April 7, 2009

Historical Examples of caressed

Mr. Morgan caressed his heavy moustache with the end of his penholder.
The Slave Of The Lamp
Henry Seton Merriman
He drank; and again as they were near together he caressed her.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930
Various
He was blubbering in her arms, hysterically, as she caressed him.
The Adventurer
Cyril M. Kornbluth
Now, suddenly, he caressed it, he resolved to act on its prompting.
A Spirit in Prison
Robert Hichens
He sat on the seat and caressed the dog, and his heart grew full and happy.
The Christian
Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for caressed

caress

noun

a gentle touch or embrace, esp one given to show affection

verb

(tr) to touch or stroke gently with affection or as with affectionthe wind caressed her face

Derived Formscaresser, nouncaressingly, adverb

Word Origin for caress

C17: from French caresse, from Italian carezza, from Latin cārus dear

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for caressed

caress

1650s, from French caresser, from Italian carezzare "to cherish," from carezza "endearment" (see caress (n.)). Related: Caressed; caressing.

caress

1640s, "show of endearment, display of regard," from French caresse (16c.), back-formation from caresser or else from Italian carezza "endearment," from caro "dear," from Latin carus "dear, costly, beloved" (see whore (n.)). Meaning "affectionate stroke" attested in English from 1650s.