Meaning and Origin
What does the name Caress mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Caress
User Submitted Origins
English
78%
French
22%
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Ca*ress"
An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
Etymology: F. caresse, It. carezza, LL. caritia dearness, fr. L. carus dear. See Charity
verb Ca*ress"
To treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness; to touch or speak to in a loving or endearing manner; to fondle.
Usage: Caress Fondle. “We caress by words or actions; we fondle by actions only.”
Etymology: F. caresser, fr. It. carezzare, fr. carezza caress. See Caress., (n.)
Other Dictionary Sources
- A gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it) ("he showered her with caresses", "soft music was a fond caress", and "the caresses of the breeze played over his face")
- Touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner ("He caressed her face")
Wiktionary
From French caresse, from Italian carezza (“dear”), from Latin cārus (“dear”), from Proto-Indo-European *keh₂-, akin to Sanskrit काम (kāma, “love”).
- An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness. [from 1640s]
- A gentle stroking or rubbing.