caress

plural caresses

1. An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.First known use 1640s

   And he wooed her with his soft caresses, / Wooed her with his smile of sunshine, […]

   1855 November 10, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Four Winds”, in The Song of Hiawatha, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, →OCLC, page 26

   1 more example

   He exerted himself to win by indulgence and caresses the hearts of all who were under his command.

   1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XVII, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC

2. A gentle stroking or rubbing.

present singular third person caresses · participle present caressing · participle past caressed · past caressed

1. transitiveTo touch or kiss lovingly; to fondle.

   She loves being caressed by her boyfriend.

   2 more examples

   The Guacho then goes up to him, caresses him, removes the poncho from his eyes, continues to caress him; so that, according to the notion of the country, the horse becomes [...]

   1858, J. S. Rarey, The Art Of Taming Horses, G. Routledge, →OCLC, →OL, page 13

   He very likely will take a step or two in your direction. Caress him and repeat. Soon commence to snap the finger, at the same time touch him with the whip, and he will follow readily. Now takea longer bow top whip, get a little ways off and snap the finger. If he comes, caress him and repeat. Every time he comes to you, caress him and let him stand; do not drive him away.

   1892, C. L. Edwards, Prof. C. L. Edwards' Progressive, Illustrated Horsemanship And Pratical Management Of Horses, page 87

   Synonyms: hold, soothe, stroke, kiss, canoodle, chuckle, coax, cosset

2. transitiveTo affect as if with a caress.

   The love and anguish in his voice caressed my mind and soul.

   2012, Mel Berry, Graceful Intentions, page 1