Exosculation

/ˌɛksɑːskjəˈleɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The act of kissing someone; an exchange of kisses.

Etymology

From ex- 'out' + Latin osculari 'to kiss,' from osculum 'mouth, kiss.' The prefix ex- intensifies the action of kissing, and -tion makes it a noun.

Kelly Says

This delightfully obscure word meaning 'kissing' shows how Latin lovers and poets had elaborate vocabulary for affection—we've mostly abandoned 'exosculation' for simple 'kiss,' losing ornate romantic language along the way!

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