caress
[ kuh-res ]
/ kəˈrɛs /
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noun
an act or gesture expressing affection, as an embrace or kiss, especially a light stroking or touching.
a light and gentle touch or stroke, or something that passes lightly over a person or thing: Let the gentle caresses of the music carry your worries away.
verb (used with object)
to touch, pat, or stroke gently to show affection.
to touch or seem to touch lightly: The breeze caressed the trees.
to treat with favor, kindness, etc.
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Origin of caress
First recorded in 1605–15; from French caresse, from Italian carezza, from unattested Vulgar Latin caritia, equivalent to Latin cār(us) “dear” + -itia suffix of abstract nouns; cf. charity
OTHER WORDS FROM caress
ca·ress·a·ble, adjectiveca·ress·er, nounun·ca·ressed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use caress in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for caress
caress
/ (kəˈrɛs) /
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 forms of caress
caresser, nouncaressingly, adverbWord Origin for caress
C17: from French caresse, from Italian carezza, from Latin cārus dear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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