kiss

verb

1》 touch or caress with the lips as a sign of love, affection, or greeting.

    ↘Billiards & Snooker (of a ball) lightly touch (another ball).

2》 (kiss someone/thing off) N. Amer. informal dismiss someone rudely; end a relationship abruptly.

3》 (kiss up to) N. Amer. informal behave obsequiously towards.

noun

1》 a touch or caress with the lips.

    ↘Billiards & Snooker a slight touch of a ball against another ball.

2》 N. Amer. a small cake, biscuit, or sweet.

Phrases

kiss and tell chiefly derogatory recount one's sexual exploits concerning a famous person.

kiss someone's arse (or N. Amer. ass) vulgar slang behave obsequiously towards someone.

kiss of death an action that ensures failure, especially when apparently benign.

kiss of life

1》 mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

2》 something that revives a failing enterprise.

kiss of peace a ceremonial kiss signifying unity, especially during the Eucharist.

kiss the rod accept punishment submissively.

Derivatives

kissable adjective

kissy adjective (informal).

Origin

OE cyssan (v.), of Gmc origin.