English

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Etymology

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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.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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caress (plural caresses)

  1. An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness. [from 1640s]
  2. A gentle stroking or rubbing.

Translations

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Verb

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caress (third-person singular simple present caresses, present participle caressing, simple past and past participle caressed)

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

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Derived terms

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Anagrams

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