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^[1], lines 178–9:

     Is my gloom, after all,
     Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?

   • 1895, Thomas Hardy, chapter III, in Jude the Obscure‎^[2]:

     "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.