caress

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: ca=ress

CIDE DICTIONARY

caress, n. [F. caresse, It. carezza, LL. caritia dearness, fr. L. carus dear. See Charity.].

 An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.  [1913 Webster]
"Wooed her with his soft caresses."  [1913 Webster]
"He exerted himself to win by indulgence and caresses the hearts of all who were under his command."  [1913 Webster]

caress, v. t. [F. caresser, fr. It. carezzare, fr. carezza caress. See Caress., n.].

 To treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness; to touch or speak to in a loving or endearing manner; to fondle.  [1913 Webster]
"The lady caresses the rough bloodhound."

Syn. -- To fondle; embrace; pet; coddle; court; flatter.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

caress, v. & n.
--v.tr.
1 touch or stroke gently or lovingly; kiss.
2 treat fondly or kindly.
--n. a loving or gentle touch or kiss.

Etymology

F caresse (n.), caresser (v.), f. It. carezza ult. f. L carus dear

THESAURUS

caress

artful endearments, attouchement, blandishment, blandishments, breath, brush, brush by, cocker, coddle, come in contact, contact, contingence, coquet, cosset, cuddle, cutaneous sense, dally, dandle, embrace, endearment, feel, feel up, feeling, fingertip caress, flick, flirt, fondle, fondling, frictionize, glance, graze, hand-mindedness, hit, honeyed words, hug, impinge, impingement, impingence, indulge, kiss, knead, lambency, lap, lick, light touch, love, massage, nose, nudge, nuzzle, osculate, osculation, pamper, pat, pet, rub, rub against, rub down, rub noses, scrape, sense of touch, shave, sideswipe, skim, skirt, soft words, squeak by, stroke, sweet nothings, sweet talk, tactile sense, taction, tangency, tap, tentative contact, tentative poke, touch, touching, toy, trifle, whisper

ROGET THESAURUS

caress

Endearment

N endearment, caress, blandishment, blandiment, panchement, fondling, billing and cooing, dalliance, necking, petting, sporting, sparking, hanky-panky, caressing, embrace, salute, kiss, buss, smack, osculation, deosculation, amorous glances, courtship, wooing, suit, addresses, the soft impeachment, lovemaking, serenading, caterwauling, flirting, flirtation, gallantry, coquetry, true lover's knot, plighted love, love tale, love token, love letter, billet-doux, valentine, honeymoon, Strephon and Chloe, caressing, sighing like furnace, love-sick, spoony, caressed, faint heart neer won fair lady, kisses honeyed by oblivion.

VB caress, fondle, pet, dandle, pat, pat on the head, pat on the cheek, chuck under the chin, smile upon, coax, wheedle, cosset, coddle, cocker, cockle, make of, make much of, cherish, foster, kill with kindness, clasp, hug, cuddle, fold in one's arms, strain in one's arms, nestle, nuzzle, embrace, kiss, buss, smack, blow a kiss, salute, fold to the heart, press to the bosom, bill and coo, spoon, toy, dally, flirt, coquet, gallivant, galavant, philander, make love, pay one's court to, pay one's addresses to, pay one's attentions to, serenade, court, woo, set one's cap at, be sweet upon, look sweet upon, ogle, cast sheep's eyes upon, faire les yeux doux, fall in love with, win the affections, die for, propose, make an offer, have an offer, pop the question, plight one's troth, plight one's faith.