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kiss

Also known as kissing, kissed, to kiss, kisses, buss, peck, pecked, smooch

AI overview

A kiss is a physical gesture in which two people press their lips together, often as an expression of affection, greeting, or respect. Kisses occur across many contexts in human life, including between family members, in religious ceremonies, and as part of cultural traditions.

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Wikidata facts

Image: El Beso (Pinacoteca de Brera, Milán, 1859).jpg

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Unicode character: 💏
Commons category: Kissing
Commons gallery: Kiss
described at URL: www.nytimes.com/2024/02/13/science/archaeology-sumeria-kissing.html
P8168: Plain-pouched Hornbill

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~47 min read

Article

33 sections

Contents

History
Types
Expression of affection
Kiss on the lips
Romantic kiss
French kiss
Kiss as ritual
Religion
Kiss of peace
Kiss of respect
Kiss of friendship
Cultural significance
As a theme in art
India
Middle East
East Asia
Contemporary practices
Kissing in films
Non-sexual kisses
Legality of public kissing
India
Middle East
Indonesia
Legality of unwanted kissing
In religion
Biology and evolution
Physiology
Neurological effects
Disease transmission
See also
References
Further reading
External links

A kiss is the touching or pressing of one's lips against another person, animal, or object. The cultural connotations associated with kissing vary significantly between different societies and contexts. Depending on the culture and circumstances, a kiss can express a wide range of emotions, such as love, passion, romance, sexual attraction, sexual arousal, affection, respect, a wish for peace or good luck, as well as numerous other meanings. In some situations, kissing takes on the function of a greeting or a ritual, formal, or symbolic gesture indicating religious devotion, institutional respect, or an act of sacramental nature.