Hypertext Webster Gateway: "caress"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Caress \Ca*ress"\, 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.
Wooed her with his soft caresses. --Langfellow.
He exerted himself to win by indulgence and caresses
the hearts of all who were under his command.
--Macaulay.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Caress \Ca*ress"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Caressed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Caressing}.] [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.
The lady caresses the rough bloodhoun. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: To foundle; embrace; pet; coddle; court; flatter.
Usage: {Caress}, {Fondle}. ``We caress by words or actions;
we fondle by actions only.'' --Crabb.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
caress
n : a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it);
"he showered her with caresses"; "soft music was a fond
caress"; "the caresses of the breeze played over his
face"
v : touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner: "He
caressed her face"; "They caressed in the back seat of
the taxi"
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