Library / English Dictionary

CARESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)

Example:

the caresses of the breeze played over his face

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("caress" is a kind of...):

stroke; stroking (a light touch with the hands)

Derivation:

caress (touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner

Example:

They fondled in the back seat of the taxi

Synonyms:

caress; fondle

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "caress" is one way to...):

stroke (touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "caress"):

paw (touch clumsily)

grope (fondle for sexual pleasure)

dandle (pet)

pet (stroke or caress in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking)

chuck; pat (pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin)

nose; nuzzle (rub noses)

pet (stroke or caress gently)

tickle (touch or stroke lightly)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue caress

Sam cannot caress Sue

Derivation:

caress (a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it))

Credits

 Context examples: 

That minister had always been my secret enemy, though he outwardly caressed me more than was usual to the moroseness of his nature.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The tenderest caresses followed this confession.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

So surrounded, so caressed, she was even happy!

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

"I think I should back my little friend," said Lord John, caressing his Express.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My mother’s tender caresses and my father’s smile of benevolent pleasure while regarding me are my first recollections.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses; and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as governess, who had fallen little short of a mother in affection.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She has abilities, however, as well as affections; and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or hers, may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at last into making her the wife of Sir William.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

He petted and soothed them, and whispered something in their ears, as I have heard of horse-tamers doing, and with extraordinary effect, for under his caresses they became quite manageable again, though they still trembled.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The hand lifted and descended again in a patting, caressing movement.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He broke into a trot, and Madge's lips pursed, forming an avenue for the caressing sound that it was the will of her to send forth. But the caressing sound was not made.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)