Dictionary

caressingly en · ADV

Etymology

Etymology tree English caressing Middle English -ly English -ly English caressingly From caressing + -ly.

Meanings

1. In a caressing manner; soothingly.
   • His right hand lay caressingly on Vesper's left thigh which stretched out naked beside him. 1953, Ian Fleming, “Black Hare and Grey Hound”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 107:
   • "You," he said, addressing the breeze caressingly "were in Christminster city between one and two hours ago, floating along the streets, pulling round the weather-cocks, touching Mr. Phillotson's face, being breathed by him; and now you are here, breathed by me—you, the very same." 1895, Thomas Hardy, chapter III, in Jude the Obscure:
   • The mash grass, through which the Indian canoes had slithered so caressingly, turned harsh and brittle. 1942, Emily Carr, “Grown Up”, in The Book of Small, Toronto, Ont.: Oxford University Press, →OCLC:
   • Is my gloom, after all, Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly? 1893, Francis Thompson, The Hound of Heaven, lines 178–9:

Forms