fon ‧ dle /ˈfɒndl $ ˈfɑːndl/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: fond 'to love too much' (16-17 centuries) , from ⇨ ↑ fond ]
to gently touch and move your fingers over part of someone’s body in a way that shows love or sexual desire:
She fondled his neck.
• • •
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.
|
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.
|
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
|
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.