caress

views updated May 09 2018

ca·ress / kəˈres/ • v. [tr.] touch or stroke gently or lovingly: she caressed the girl's forehead | fig. [as adj.] (caressing) the caressing warmth of the sun. • n. a gentle or loving touch.DERIVATIVES: ca·ress·ing·ly adv.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

caress

views updated Jun 11 2018

caress sb. XVII. — F. caresse — It. carezza :- Rom. *cāritia, f. cārus dear; see CHARITY, -ESS 2.
Hence, or — F. — It., caress vb. XVII.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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