Etymology Map
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Caress

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a gentle loving touch

Where does the word "caress" come from? It comes from Latin carus, passing through Italian before entering English (1640s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
carus
Latin · ancient
"dear"
the root of 'charity' and 'cherish'
2
Stage 2 of 3
carezza
Italian · 1500s
"caress"
an endearment; came into English via French 'caresse'
3
Stage 3 of 3
caress
English · 1640s
"endearment"
used as a verb from the 1650s
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Read the full story

Caress’s story begins in Latin: carus meant “dear.” The root of 'charity' and 'cherish'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Italian as carezza. An endearment; came into English via French 'caresse'. It reached English by 1640s as caress. Used as a verb from the 1650s. Today, caress means a gentle loving touch.