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Where does the word "caress" come from? It comes from Latin carus, passing through Italian before entering English (1640s).
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Where does the word "caress" come from? It comes from Latin carus, passing through Italian before entering English (1640s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient carus "dear", the root of 'charity' and 'cherish'.
- Stage 2 · Italian · 1500s carezza "caress", an endearment; came into English via French 'caresse'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1640s caress "endearment", used as a verb from the 1650s.