caress
Use Caress in a sentence
noun
1.
an act or gesture expressing affection, as an embrace or kiss, especially a light stroking or touching.
verb (used with object)
2.
to touch or pat gently to show affection.
3.
to touch, stroke, etc., lightly, as if in affection: The breeze caressed the trees.
4.
to treat with favor, kindness, etc.
Origin:
1605–15; < French caresse < Italian carezza < Vulgar Latin *caritia, equivalent to Latin cār(us) dear + -itia suffix of abstract nouns; cf. charity
1605–15; < French caresse < Italian carezza < Vulgar Latin *caritia, equivalent to Latin cār(us) dear + -itia suffix of abstract nouns; cf. charity
Related forms
ca·ress·a·ble, adjective
ca·ress·er, noun
ca·ress·ing·ly, adverb
un·ca·ressed, adjective
un·ca·ress·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. pat, fondling, hug.
1. pat, fondling, hug.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To caress
00:10
Caress
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
caress (kəˈrɛs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a gentle touch or embrace, esp one given to show affection |
| —vb | |
| 2. | (tr) to touch or stroke gently with affection or as with affection: the wind caressed her face |
| [C17: from French caresse, from Italian carezza, from Latin cārus dear] | |
| ca'resser | |
| —n | |
| ca'ressingly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
caress
1651, from Fr. caresser, from It. carezzare "endearment," ult. from L. carita, from carus "dear" (see whore).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Touch screens respond to the ceaseless caress of our fingers.
Snails caress each other with their antennae, birds touch beaks, and many mammals lick each other's snouts.
Wielding a single hair on a brush, a researcher tests the effects of a caress on skin.
Remote haptic interaction could allow people who are allergic to dogs and cats to caress their pets remotely.
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