| kiss | 1. To salute with the lips, as a mark of affection, reverence, submission, forgiveness, etc. "He . . . Kissed her lips with such a clamorous smack, That at the parting all the church echoed." (Shak) 2. To touch gently, as if fondly or caressingly. "When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees." (Shak) Origin: OE. Kissen, cussen, AS. Cyssan, fr. Coss a kiss; of uncertain origin; akin to D. Kus, G. Kuss, Icel. Koss. 1. To make or give salutation with the lips in token of love, respect, etc.; as, kiss and make friends. 2. To meet; to come in contact; to touch fondly. "Like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume." (Shak) "Rose, rose and clematis, Trail and twine and clasp and kiss." (Tennyson) Kissing comfit, a perfumed sugarplum to sweeten the breath. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| kissing bugs | Insect vectors (carriers) of the parasite (called trypanosoma cruzi) which causes chagas' disease (american trypanosomiasis). The reduviid bugs kiss people, especially babies, on the lips while they are asleep infecting them with their parasite. Over 20 million people in the americas have chagas disease. The parasite can also be transmitted by blood transfusion and cross the placenta during pregnancy to infect the foetus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| kissing disease | <haematology, virology> Self limiting disorder of lymphoid tissue caused by infection with Epstein Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis). Characterised by the appearance of many large lymphoblasts in the circulation. (13 Nov 1997) |