kissing

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

kissing
    n 1: affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the
         genital organs) [syn: {caressing}, {cuddling}, {fondling},
         {hugging}, {kissing}, {necking}, {petting}, {smooching},
         {snuggling}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Kiss \Kiss\ (k[i^]s), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Kissed} (k[i^]st);p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Kissing}.] [OE. kissen, cussen, AS. cyssan, fr.
   coss a kiss; of uncertain origin; akin to D. kus, G. kuss,
   Icel. koss.]
   1. To salute with the lips, as a mark of affection,
      reverence, submission, forgiveness, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

            He . . . kissed her lips with such a clamorous
            smack,
            That at the parting all the church echoed. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To touch gently, as if fondly or caressingly.
      [1913 Webster]

            When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

from Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

KISSING. Kissing the bible is a ceremony used in taking the corporal oath, 
the object being, as the canonists say, to denote the assent of the witness 
to the oath in the form it is imposed. The witness kisses either the whole 
bible, or some portion of it; or a cross in some countries. See the 
ceremony explained in Oughton's Ord. Tit. Constit. on Courts, part 3, sect. 
1, Sec. 3 Junkin on the Oath, 173, 180; 2 Evan's Pothier, 234.