caressive

[kuh-res-iv]

adjective

1. of the nature of or resembling a caress.

   caressive words; a caressive breeze.

2. characterized by or given to caresses.

Other Word Forms

• caressively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of caressive¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; caress + -ive

Example Sentences

He held her hand and drew it up to his throat, pressing his chin against the fingers with a movement that was as caressive as a kiss.

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Sophisticates may take scant pleasure in the caressive, high-pitched crooning of Morton Downey but R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. counts as well spent the $108,000 paid him since June.

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The lads, Dannie, out there on the grounds, is wonderful fond o’ jokin’, an’ they says I’ve a power o’ looks; but mother,” he concluded, his voice grown caressive and reverent, “wouldn’t lie.”

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She showed herself much inclined to make sexual advances towards adults, pressing herself up against them in a way which innocent persons interpreted as manifesting the caressive inclinations of the child.

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He is of opinion that homosexually inclined boys often exhibit even in childhood caressive tendencies; such boys early attract the attention of priests, who make use of them in the performance of various ecclesiastical ceremonies.

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