caress. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

caress

SYLLABICATION:	ca·ress
PRONUNCIATION:	k-rs
NOUN:	A gentle touch or gesture of fondness, tenderness, or love.
TRANSITIVE VERB:	Inflected forms: ca·ressed, ca·ress·ing, ca·ress·es 1. To touch or stroke in an affectionate or loving manner. 2. To touch or move as if with a caress: soft music that caressed the ears. 3. To treat fondly, kindly, or favorably; cherish.
ETYMOLOGY:	French caresse, from Italian carezza, from caro, dear, from Latin crus. See k- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:	ca·resser —NOUN ca·ressing·ly —ADVERB ca·ressive —ADJECTIVE
SYNONYMS:	caress, cuddle, fondle, pet¹ These verbs mean to touch or handle affectionately: caressed the baby's forehead; cuddled the kitten in her arms; fondling the dog's ears; petting his pony.


The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.