caress

Etymology

From French caresse, from Italian carezza (“dear”), from Latin cārus (“dear”), from Proto-Indo-European *keh₂-, akin to Sanskrit काम (kāma, “love”). Doublet of karezza.

noun

  1. An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
  2. A gentle stroking or rubbing.

verb

  1. (transitive) To touch or kiss lovingly; to fondle.
    She loves being caressed by her boyfriend.
  2. (transitive) To affect as if with a caress.
    The love and anguish in his voice caressed my mind and soul. 2012, Mel Berry, Graceful Intentions, page 1

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