caress

[kuh-res]

See more synonyms for caress on Thesaurus.com

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

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. pat, fondling, hug.

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

Related Words for caresses

fondle, nuzzle, pat, rub, clutch, graze, cuddle, kiss, massage, hug, pet, feel, stroke, embrace, endearment, squeeze, snuggle, petting, fondling, toy

Examples from the Web for caresses

Contemporary Examples of caresses

For a majority of the music video, Gaga rocks a leather-glove bandeau that at points moves and caresses her breasts.
Deconstructing Lady Gaga's 5 Bras in "Applause"
Erin Cunningham
August 19, 2013
He described opium as “an old and terrible lover and, like all lovers, overflowing with caresses—and betrayals.”
Baudelaire’s Femme Fatale Muse
James MacManus
May 7, 2013
The three live above a blind poet (Richard E. Grant), who cries as he caresses the books he could once see.
Madonna's New Movie Salutes...Madonna!
Rachel Syme
October 17, 2008

Historical Examples of caresses

Fido knew that, for there were caresses in every stroke of the dimpled hands.
A Little Book of Profitable Tales
Eugene Field
She aggravated him with all manner of caresses and endearments.
The Works of Whittier, Volume V (of VII)
John Greenleaf Whittier
In spite of this she was fond of caresses, devoted to her husband, and had several children.
The Sexual Question
August Forel
Valentine took hold of them, sat them on her lap, and half stifled them with caresses.
Fruitfulness
Emile Zola
They struggled in this manner with a rattling in their throats, writhing in the horror of their caresses.
Therese Raquin
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for caresses

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 caresses

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.