kiss

pronunciation

How to pronounce kiss in British English: UK [kɪs]word uk audio image

How to pronounce kiss in American English: US [kɪs] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
    a cookie made of egg whites and sugar
    any of several bite-sized candies
    a light glancing touch
  • Verb:
    touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
    touch lightly or gently

Word Origin

kiss
kiss: [OE] Kiss is a widespread Germanic word, represented also in German kūssen, Dutch kussen, Swedish kyssa, and Danish kysse. It probably goes back to some prehistoric syllable imitative of the sound or action of kissing, such as *ku or *kus, which would also lie behind Greek kunein ‘kiss’, Sanskrit cumb- ‘kiss’, and Hittite kuwass- ‘kiss’. There is not sufficient linguistic evidence, however, to show whether the Indo-Europeans expressed affection by kissing each other.
kiss (v.)
Old English cyssan "to kiss," from Proto-Germanic *kussjan (cognates: Old Saxon kussian, Old Norse kyssa, Old Frisian kessa, Middle Dutch cussen, Dutch, Old High German kussen, German küssen, Norwegian and Danish kysse, Swedish kyssa), from *kuss-, probably ultimately imitative of the sound. Related: Kissed; kissing. For vowel evolution, see bury. There appears to be no common Indo-European root word for "kiss," though suggestions of a common ku- sound may be found in the Germanic root and Greek kynein "to kiss," Hittite kuwash-anzi "they kiss," Sanskrit cumbati "he kisses."Kissing, as an expression of affection or love, is unknown among many races, and in the history of mankind seems to be a late substitute for the more primitive rubbing of noses, sniffing, and licking. [Buck, p.1113]Some languages make a distinction between the kiss of affection and that of erotic love (compare Latin saviari "erotic kiss," vs. osculum, literally "little mouth"). French embrasser "kiss," but literally "embrace," came about in 17c. when the older word baiser (from Latin basiare) acquired an obscene connotation. Insulting invitation kiss my ass is at least from 1705, but probably much older (see "The Miller's Tale").
kiss (n.)
Old English coss; see kiss (v.). It became Middle English cuss, but this yielded to kiss, from the verb. Kiss of death in figurative sense "thing that signifies impending failure" is from 1944 (Billboard, Oct. 21), ultimately in reference to Judas's kiss in Gethsemane (Matt. xxvi:48-50). The kiss of peace was, in Old English, sibbecoss (for first element, see sibling).

Synonym

Example

1. You 've got the obvious kiss spots covered .
2. Would a girl ever want to kiss those lips ?
3. A new york study finds that women and men kiss for different reasons .
4. Brush your teeth and use mouthwash before you kiss her .
5. When should I kiss the girl ?

more: >How to Use "kiss" with Example Sentences