Kiss
/kɪs/noun
To touch or press one's lips against someone or something as a gesture of affection or greeting.
Did you know?The Old English word for kiss, 'cyssan', is believed to derive from a Proto-Germanic term meaning 'to touch with the lips', highlighting its intimate and ritualistic nature throughout history.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʲeh₁s-
“to taste or to touch with the lips”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*kussōną
“to kiss or touch softly”
Old English
OE
cyssan
“to kiss, a gesture of affection or greeting”
Middle English
ME
kissen
“to touch or press one's lips against someone or something”
Modern English
English
kiss
“to press one's lips against another as a sign of love or greeting”