stroking
Moving hand softly
Stroking is the act of moving one's hand gently over a surface, typically with affection or to soothe: She sat stroking the cat's fur.
The word extends to any repeated, caressing motion.
In competitive contexts, stroking refers to the technique of moving oars or paddles through water.
Informally, stroking someone's ego means flattering them.
Affectionate stroking
- fondlingAffectionate tactile contact
- caressingTouching with affection
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
- touchingEvoking gentle emotion
soothing · gentle · affection · tenderness · massage · nuzzle · comfort · warmth
Without prescribed technique
- backstrokeSupine aquatic locomotion
- breaststrokeArms circle, legs splay
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
- crawlMove slowly, low
technique · recovery · catch · rotation · rhythm · efficiency · propulsion · glide
Painter's stroke method
- brushstrokeMark left by painter's tool
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
- applicationFormal request document
layering · blending · feathering · wash · glaze · impasto · sweep · dabbing
petting
Affectionate stroking
- fondlingAffectionate tactile contact
- caressingTouching with affection
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
touching · soothing · gentle · affection · tenderness · massage · nuzzle · comfort · warmth · intimacy
freestyle
Without prescribed technique
- backstrokeSupine aquatic locomotion
- breaststrokeArms circle, legs splay
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
crawl · technique · recovery · catch · rotation · rhythm · efficiency · propulsion · glide · reach
brushwork
Painter's stroke method
- brushstrokeMark left by painter's tool
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- techniqueSkilled way of performing
application · layering · blending · feathering · wash · glaze · impasto · sweep · dabbing · stippling
- parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids
- touchtouch, feel, touching, caress, feeling
- action verbsrun, jump, chase, grab, climb
- ice skatingfigure skating, speed skating, ice dancing, short track, ice rink
- skatingskating, ice skating, roller skating, figure skating, inline skating
- affectionhug, kiss, care, cuddle, caress
- stroking hairGentle repeated touch on head
- ego strokingExcessive praise for validation
- beard strokingTouching facial hair pensively
- chin strokingContemplative jaw-touching gesture
- stroking outExperiencing cerebral vascular failure
- hair strokingTouching tresses gently