Definition of "caress" []

• A gentle touch or gesture of fondness, tenderness, or love. (noun)
• To touch or stroke in an affectionate or loving manner. (verb-transitive)
• To touch or move as if with a caress: soft music that caressed the ears. (verb-transitive)
• To treat fondly, kindly, or favorably; cherish. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Indeed, the touching touch of the caress is touching (without touching) on the untouchable as inviolable, and the one stroking is always masculine and the stroked one (the untouchable) feminine"
• "A caress might be a grope if it comes from an unwanted hand."
• "Roused Death: Death rose and smiled, and met her vain caress. xxvi"