caress

Everyday

1. To caress someone or something is to touch or stroke them gently and lovingly. tree →
2. (noun) A caress is a gentle, loving touch. tree →
3. (literary) Wind or water caresses something when it touches it softly. tree →
4. A caressing word or name is one that sounds loving and affectionate. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a mother caresses her baby's head, a child caresses a pet. Poets say the breeze caresses the face. It shows tenderness. In The Wind in the Willows the river seems to caress the boat and the bank.

Examples

• She caressed the kitten's soft fur. tree →
• The mother caressed her baby's cheek. tree →
• A gentle breeze caressed our faces. tree →
• The water caressed the side of the boat. tree →
• He gave the horse a caress on the nose. tree →
• The waves caressed the sand. tree →
• [207] Ivashko and Ivashechko, are caressing diminutives of Ivan. tree →

Note

Double s: caresses, caressed. Stress on the second part: ka-RESS. Gentle and loving; touches should always be welcome.