Ca*ress" (k&adot;*r&ebreve;s"), n.
[F. caresse, It. carezza, LL. caritia
dearness, fr. L. carus dear. See Charity.] An
act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an
embracing, or touching, with tenderness.
Wooed her with his soft caresses.
Langfellow.
He exerted himself to win by indulgence and
caresses the hearts of all who were under his command.
Macaulay.
Ca*ress", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Caressed (-r&ebreve;st"); p. pr. &
vb. n. Caressing.] [F. caresser, fr. It.
carezzare, fr. carezza caress. See Caress.,
n.] To treat with tokens of fondness,
affection, or kindness; to touch or speak to in a loving or
endearing manner; to fondle.
The lady caresses the rough bloodhound.
Sir W. Scott.
Syn. -- To fondle; embrace; pet; coddle; court;
flatter. -- Caress, Fondle. "We caress by
words or actions; we fondle by actions only."
Crabb.
