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n. A gentle touch or gesture of fondness, tenderness, or love. tr.v. ca·ressed, ca·ress·ing, ca·ress·es 1. To touch or stroke in an affectionate or loving manner. 2. To touch or move as if with a caress: soft music that caressed the ears. [French caresse, from Italian carezza, from caro, dear, from Latin cārus; see kā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ca·resser n. ca·ressing·ly adv. ca·ressive adj. Synonyms: caress, cuddle, fondle, pat1, pet1, stroke2 These verbs mean to touch or handle affectionately: caressed the sleeping baby; cuddled the kitten in her arms; fondling the dog's ears; patted the child's head; petting his pony; gently stroked the patient's hand. |
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