caressingly
advEtymology From caressing + -ly.
1
In a caressing manner; soothingly.
- Is my gloom, after all, Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?1893, Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven, lines 178–9:
- "You," he said, addressing the breeze caressingly "were in Christminster city between one and two hours ago, floating along the streets, pulling round the weather-cocks, touching Mr. Phillotson's face, being breathed by him; and now you are here, breathed by me—you, the very same."1895, Thomas Hardy, chapter III, in Jude the Obscure:
2 more examples
- The mash grass, through which the Indian canoes had slithered so caressingly, turned harsh and brittle.1942, Emily Carr, “Grown Up”, in The Book of Small, Toronto, Ont.: Oxford University Press, →OCLC:
- His right hand lay caressingly on Vesper's left thigh which stretched out naked beside him.1953, Ian Fleming, “Black Hare and Grey Hound”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 107: