caress

Meanings

Noun

• An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
• A gentle stroking or rubbing.

Verb

• To touch or kiss lovingly; to fondle.
• To affect as if with a caress.

Origin

• From French caresse, from Italian carezza ("dear"), from Latin cārus ("dear"), from Proto-Indo-European *keh₂-, akin to Sanskrit काम ("love"). karezza.