kiss

Everyday

1. To kiss means to touch someone with your lips to show love, care or a greeting. tree →
2. A kiss is that touch with the lips. tree →
3. Kiss can mean a very light touch, like when a ball just kisses the post. tree →
4. A kiss can also be the letter x written at the end of a card or message to mean love. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday life: families kiss goodnight or kiss hello; in some countries people greet with a kiss on the cheek. Body safety: your body belongs to you; you can say no to a kiss or hug, even from a relative, and nobody should ask you to keep kisses secret. In fairy tales a kiss can break a spell. Phrases: «kiss goodnight», «a kiss on the cheek», «blow a kiss», «kiss and make up», «kiss it better».

Examples

• Mum kissed me goodnight. tree →
• Grandma gave me a kiss on the cheek. tree →
• The baby blew a kiss to her dad. tree →
• Dad kissed my knee to make it better. tree →
• In the story the frog turned into a prince after the kiss. tree →
• She signed her card «Love, Emma xxx». tree →
• You can say «no thanks» if you do not want a kiss. tree →
• The ball just kissed the crossbar and went over. tree →

Note

Plural noun and verb with he/she/it: «kisses». Past: «kissed». An «x» at the end of a message means a kiss; «xoxo» means kisses and hugs. Safety: a grown-up asking a child for secret kisses is never okay; tell a trusted adult.

In Jewish tradition

A kiss in the Tanakh is a sign of greeting and family love, as when Jacob kisses Rachel and Isaac blesses Jacob. The psalms use it as a figure of speech, when righteousness and peace "kiss", and Job speaks of a kiss of the hand as a sign of worship.

Interpretation. The commentators note that kisses between relatives show closeness, and Jacob's kiss for Rachel is read as joy at finding family after a long journey. Psalm 85 is read as picturing justice and peace joined in harmony, and Job's words as a warning against false worship of sun or moon. Proverbs warns that an enemy's kisses can be false.

Examples

• And he came near, and kissed him. (Torah GEN.27.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. (Torah GEN.29.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. (Torah GEN.48.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Writings PSA.85.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And my heart hath been secretly enticed, and my mouth hath kissed my hand; (Writings JOB.31.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are importunate. (Writings PRO.27.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural noun and verb with he/she/it: «kisses». Past: «kissed». An «x» at the end of a message means a kiss; «xoxo» means kisses and hugs. Safety: a grown-up asking a child for secret kisses is never okay; tell a trusted adult.