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Word of the DayFriday, February 14, 2003

osculation

\os-kyuh-LAY-shuhn\ , noun:

The act of kissing; also: a kiss.

Quotes:

He had engaged in nervous osculation with all three of Lord Flamborough's daughters.

-- Thomas Sutcliffe, "The art of seduction, the skill of the tackle", Independent, June 13, 1994

Their incessant onstage osculations during her last concert tour seemed to offer public proof of their passion.

-- "The Big Boom in Breakups", People, November 13, 1995

Origin:

Osculation comes from osculatio, "a kissing," from osculari, "to kiss," from osculum, "a little mouth, a kiss," diminutive of os, "mouth."