caress

 
Pronunciation: /kəˈrɛs/

verb

[with object]
  • touch or stroke gently or lovingly: she caressed the girl’s forehead figurative a gentle breeze caressed his skin (as adjective caressing) his caressing touch

noun

  • a gentle or loving touch: she felt the caress of his breath on her cheek

Derivatives

caressingly

adverb

Origin:

mid 17th century: from French caresser (verb), caresse (noun), from Italian carezza, based on Latin carus 'dear'

Spelling help

Spell caress with one r and a double s.

romantically stroking someone with a caress.