caressingly

comparative more caressingly · superlative most caressingly

1. In a caressing manner; soothingly.

   Is my gloom, after all, Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?

   1893, Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven, lines 178–9

   3 more examples

   "You," he said, addressing the breeze caressingly "were in Christminster city between one and two hours ago, floating along the streets, pulling round the weather-cocks, touching Mr. Phillotson's face, being breathed by him; and now you are here, breathed by me—you, the very same."

   1895, Thomas Hardy, chapter III, in Jude the Obscure

   The mash grass, through which the Indian canoes had slithered so caressingly, turned harsh and brittle.

   1942, Emily Carr, “Grown Up”, in The Book of Small, Toronto, Ont.: Oxford University Press, →OCLC

   His right hand lay caressingly on Vesper's left thigh which stretched out naked beside him.

   1953, Ian Fleming, “Black Hare and Grey Hound”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 107