Caressing

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kəˈɹɛsɪŋ/

Definitions

1. The gentle action of softly touching or rubbing with affection conveys a sense of warmth and intimacy through light physical contact A tender gesture involving soft stroking or touching communicates care and affection while promoting emotional closeness An intimate expression characterized by gentle, loving touches reflects a soothing connection that fosters feelings of warmth and comfort
2. A soft and tender way of touching that shows love or care without pressure
3. Lightly stroking the surface of someone or something to express fondness

Etymology: "Caressing" is the present participle of "caress," a word that arrived in English from French, which borrowed it from Italian "carezza," meaning "dear" or "affection." That Italian term grew from Latin "cārus," also "dear," so the verb's ancestry is a lesson in how a word for something precious became a word for gentle touch. The English noun and verb built on that French form, and the original sense of endearment carried into the physical act. A caress is, at heart, a touch that expresses dearness, which is why the word suggests tenderness rather than mere contact. Among its relatives is "karezza," a doublet of the same source, which entered English later and came to describe a form of slow, controlled lovemaking. Both words descend from one Latin adjective, so they are cousins that took very different paths into English.

Synonyms: stroking, petting, touching, fondling, embracing

Antonyms: hitting, slapping, pushing, shoving, striking