caressingly

caressingly

English

Etymology

caressing +‎ -ly

Adverb

caressingly (comparative more caressingly, superlative most caressingly)

1. In a caressing manner; soothingly.
   • 1893, Francis Thompson, "The Hound of Heaven," lines 178-9,

     Is my gloom, after all,

     Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?

   • 1895, Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, Chapter III,

     "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."

   • 1942, Emily Carr, “Grown Up”, in The Book of Small:

     The mash grass, through which the Indian canoes had slithered so caressingly, turned harsh and brittle.