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caresser

Etymology and origin of the French word caresser

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1410, Geste des ducs de Bourgogne
Borrowed from
Italian carezzare
Ultimate origin
Italian (caro)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ka.ʁɛ.se/[1]
  • IPA: /ka.ʁe.se/[1]

Forms

caresser[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Italian carezzare (“to cherish”), recorded in the 14th century (Matteo Villani), a verb formed from carezza (“caress”) (see caresse).[2][3][4] Bloch and Wartburg derive the Italian noun from caro (“dear”).[3] Wiktionary also notes that the French verb can be analysed as from French caresse + -er.[1] Littré thought the word had entered French only at the beginning of the 17th century.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Geste des ducs de Bourgogne (1410) uses it for cajoling, touching in sign of affection or tenderness.[2][4]

Semantic evolution

Robert Estienne records it in 1538 for flattering someone, a classical sense;[2][6] Mathurin Régnier uses it of lovers' caresses (1606), and Richelet (1706) says of animals that it meant “to mate”.[2][6] Crébillon (before 1777) has it for lightly brushing a thing, as the Seine caresse the flank of a hill in Valéry.[2][6]

Figuratively, Voltaire (1736) speaks of caresser son orgueil, to nurse one's pride, whence caresser un projet, un espoir, to cherish a plan or a hope.[2][6] Familiar phrases include caresser la bouteille “to drink a lot” and caresser dans le sens du poil “to flatter”.[6][1]

Timeline

  • 1410 – “To cajole, fondle”, in the Geste des ducs de Bourgogne.[2]
  • 1538 – The noun caresse;[2][3] “to flatter”, in Robert Estienne.[2][3]
  • 1606 – Of lovers' caresses, in Régnier.[2]
  • 1736 – Caresser son orgueil, in Voltaire.[2]
  • before 1777 – “To brush lightly”, in Crébillon.[2]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To caress, stroke, fondle: caresser un chat, caresser un enfant.[7][1]
  2. To touch lightly, brush.[6][2]
  3. (figurative) To cherish, entertain (a hope, a plan): caresser un projet.[2][6]
  4. Caresser de l'œil, du regard: to look fondly or covetously at, caresser dans le sens du poil, to flatter.[6][1]
  5. (familiar) Caresser la bouteille: to drink heavily.[6]
  6. (classical) To flatter, make much of (someone).[2][6]

Word family

  • caressant
  • caresse
  • cher
  • Italian carezzare
  • English caress

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  4. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Caresser.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/caresser. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·