caresser French · revision 16906

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1410, Geste des ducs de Bourgogne|origins=it caro}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ka.ʁɛ.se/^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA: /ka.ʁe.se/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''caresser'''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|it|carezzare|t=to cherish]], recorded in the 14th century (Matteo Villani), a verb formed from [[m|it|carezza|t=caress]] (see [[caresse]]).^(TLFi)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005) Bloch and Wartburg derive the Italian noun from [[m|it|caro|t=dear]].^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) Wiktionary also notes that the French verb can be analysed as [[af|fr|caresse|-er]].^(Wiktionary) Littré thought the word had entered French only at the beginning of the 17th century.^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The ''Geste des ducs de Bourgogne'' (1410) uses it for cajoling, touching in sign of affection or tenderness.^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Robert Estienne records it in 1538 for flattering someone, a classical sense;^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989) Mathurin Régnier uses it of lovers' caresses (1606), and Richelet (1706) says of animals that it meant “to mate”.^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989) Crébillon (before 1777) has it for lightly brushing a thing, as the Seine ''caresse'' the flank of a hill in Valéry.^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ 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.^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989) Familiar phrases include ''caresser la bouteille'' “to drink a lot” and ''caresser dans le sens du poil'' “to flatter”.^(GLLF 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1410 – “To cajole, fondle”, in the ''Geste des ducs de Bourgogne''.^(TLFi)

+ * 1538 – The noun ''caresse'';^(TLFi)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) “to flatter”, in Robert Estienne.^(TLFi)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+ * 1606 – Of lovers' caresses, in Régnier.^(TLFi)

+ * 1736 – ''Caresser son orgueil'', in Voltaire.^(TLFi)

+ * before 1777 – “To brush lightly”, in Crébillon.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|caress]], stroke, fondle: ''caresser un chat'', ''caresser un enfant''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To touch lightly, brush.^(GLLF 1989)^(TLFi)

+ # ''(figurative)'' To cherish, entertain (a hope, a plan): ''caresser un projet''.^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989)

+ # ''Caresser de l'œil, du regard'': to look fondly or covetously at, ''caresser dans le sens du poil'', to flatter.^(GLLF 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(familiar)'' ''Caresser la bouteille'': to drink heavily.^(GLLF 1989)

+ # ''(classical)'' To flatter, make much of (someone).^(TLFi)^(GLLF 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[caressant]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[caresse]]

+ * [[cher]]

+ * [[it|carezzare]]

+ * [[en|caress]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}