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kiss definition

kiss (kis)

transitive verb

  1. to give a kiss to (a person or thing); touch or caress with the lips
  2. to touch lightly or gently the bowling ball just kissed the pin

Etymology: ME kissen < OE cyssan, akin to Ger küssen < IE base *kus-, prob. echoic

intransitive verb

  1. to give a kiss to one another on the lips
  2. to touch one another lightly

noun

  1. a touch or caress with the lips, often with some pressure and suction, as an act of affection, desire, greeting, etc.
  2. a light, gentle touch or slight contact
    1. any of various candies
    2. a baked confection of egg white and sugar

Etymology: ME kisse < the v., replacing cosse < OE coss

Related Forms:

kiss Idioms

kiss ass

Slang, Vulgar to be obsequious or fawning, as to gain an advantage or approval

kiss goodbye

  1. to kiss in taking leave
  2. ☆ Informal to give up all hope of getting, recovering, realizing, etc.

kiss off

Slang to dismiss rudely or contemptuously

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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