caress
verbEtymology 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.
1
To touch or kiss lovingly; to fondle.
- She loves being caressed by her boyfriend.
- The Guacho then goes up to him, caresses him, removes the poncho from his eyes, continues to caress him; so that, according to the notion of the country, the horse becomes [...]1858, J. S. Rarey, The Art Of Taming Horses, G. Routledge, →OCLC, →OL, page 13:
1 more example
- He very likely will take a step or two in your direction. Caress him and repeat. Soon commence to snap the finger, at the same time touch him with the whip, and he will follow readily. Now takea longer bow top whip, get a little ways off and snap the finger. If he comes, caress him and repeat. Every time he comes to you, caress him and let him stand; do not drive him away.1892, C. L. Edwards, Prof. C. L. Edwards' Progressive, Illustrated Horsemanship And Pratical Management Of Horses, page 87:
2
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:
- Derived terms
- caressable, caressingly, caressive, uncaressed