petting

American  

[pet-ing] / ˈpɛt ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of fondling or caressing.

   Petting or massage may help calm a stressed or hyperactive dog.

2. Informal. kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity between partners that does not involve sexual intercourse.

3. the present participle of pet.

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Etymology

Origin of petting

First recorded in 1870–75; pet ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Half asleep, she reached out for her dog - and instead found herself petting a smooth, slithering object.

From BBC

I haven’t watched the series, so I didn’t understand why we were beheading a stuffed bear, but families seemed thrilled to explore the venue, including petting Uncle Fester’s Chupacabra.

From Barron's

For Ostrovsky, the man who had left his wife and two daughters to get food, everything seemed to be fine when they arrived a little after 5.30 p.m. and saw bubbles and a petting zoo.

From The Wall Street Journal

My mom just walks over and gives G another quiet hug, petting her hair.

From Literature

His study was filled with taxidermy, and Lord Fredrick wandered from one lifeless creature to the next, idly petting their sawdust-filled heads.

From Literature

Related Words

• extravagance
• kindness
• leniency
• permissiveness
• privilege