caress
n. C1 Advanced US //kɝˈɛs// UK //kəɹˈɛs// ca·ress
n. a gentle touch or a soft, kind way of speaking to someone. It is usually a way to show love or comfort.
n. a gentle, affectionate touch or a soft, soothing manner of speaking. Often used to describe physical gestures of intimacy or emotional reassurance.
The mother gave her child a gentle caress.
He offered a warm caress to the old book, showing how much he valued it.
The poet's words were a soothing caress to the weary soul, providing a moment of peace in a world of constant noise.
From French caresse, from Italian carezza (“dear”), from Latin cārus (“dear”), from Proto-Indo-European *keh₂-, akin to Sanskrit काम (kāma, “love”). Doublet of karezza.