Oscules

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The soft, light touch between lips during a greeting or gesture of affection
2. A form of greeting involving a brief connection or contact of the lips
3. The act of kissing, often conveying emotions or sentiments of endearment

Etymology: "Oscules" is the plural of "oscule," a rare English noun borrowed from Latin "osculum," a diminutive of "os," meaning "mouth," so the literal sense is "little mouth." Latin writers also used "osculum" for a kiss itself, and that sense carried into English, where the verb "osculate" (to kiss) comes from the related Latin verb "osculari."