caresser

caresser [kaʀese]

➭ TABLE 1 transitive verb

   a. to stroke

• elle lui caressait les jambes she was stroking his legs

   b. [+ espoir] to entertain

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kaʀese
1.

verbe transitif

1) (de la main) to stroke [animal, joue, cheveux, barbe, objet]

caresser quelqu'un du regard or des yeux — to look at somebody lovingly ou fondly

2) (effleurer) [soleil, vent, lumière] to caress [joue, cheveux]

3) (avoir en soi) to entertain [rêve, idée]

2.

se caresser verbe pronominal to stroke

se caresser la barbe — to stroke one's beard

••

caresser quelqu'un dans le sens du poil — to stay on the right side of somebody

caresser la bouteille — to be on the bottle (colloq)

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kaʀese vt

1) [animal, personne] to caress, to stroke

2) fig, [projet] to toy with, [espoir] to cherish

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caresser verb table: aimer

A vtr

1 [personne] to stroke [animal, joue, bras, menton, cheveux, barbe]; to caress [amant, maîtresse]; to finger [objet]; caresser qn du regard or des yeux to look at sb lovingly ou fondly;

2 (effleurer) liter [soleil, vent, air, lumière] to caress [joue, cheveux]; la mer venait caresser les rochers the sea was lapping against the rocks; le vent caressait les blés the corn was caressed by the wind;

3 (nourrir) to entertain [rêve, espoir]; to entertain, to toy with [idée, projet]; to flatter [vanité]; il caressait l'espoir de pouvoir retourner dans son pays he entertained the hope that he would be able to return to his country.

B se caresser vpr to stroke; il se caressa la barbe/le menton/la joue he stroked his beard/chin/cheek.

Idiomes

caresser qn dans le sens du poil to stay on the right side of sb; caresser la bouteille to be on the bottle○; caresser les côtes à qn○ to give sb a hiding○.

[karese] verbe transitif

1. [toucher - affectueusement] to stroke ; [ - sensuellement] to caress

caresser un enfant to pet a child

caresser les cheveux de quelqu'un to stroke somebody's hair

caresser quelqu'un des yeux ou du regard to gaze lovingly at somebody

il faut le caresser dans le sens du poil don't rub him (up) the wrong way

2. (littéraire) [effleurer - tissu, papier] to touch lightly

3. [avoir, former]

caresser le dessein de faire to be intent on doing

caresser le rêve de faire quelque chose to dream of doing something

4. (familier) [battre]

caresser les oreilles à quelqu'un to clout somebody round the ear