I. ca ‧ ress 1 /kəˈres/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . especially literary to touch someone gently in a way that shows you love them SYN stroke :
His hands gently caressed her body.
2 . literary to touch something gently, in a way that seems pleasant or romantic:
Waves caressed the shore.
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THESAURUS
■ touch somebody gently or lovingly
▪ stroke to move your hand gently over something, especially in a loving way:
She stroked the child’s hair.
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Our cat won’t let people stroke him.
▪ pat to touch an animal or child lightly several times, with your hand flat:
He knelt down to pat the dog.
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She patted the little boy’s head.
▪ pet to touch and move your hand gently over someone, especially an animal or child:
The goats, pigs, sheep, and cows here allow you to pet them.
▪ caress /kəˈres/ to gently touch a part of someone’s body in a loving way:
a mother caressing her child
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She caressed his cheek.
▪ fondle to touch a part of someone’s body in a loving or sexual way – use this especially about touching someone in a sexual way that is not wanted:
He tried to fondle her and she immediately pulled away from him.
II. caress 2 BrE AmE noun [countable] especially literary
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: caresse , from Italian carezza , from caro 'dear' , from Latin carus ; ⇨ ↑ charity ]
a gentle touch or kiss that shows you love someone