foreplay

noun

1. (uncountable)The acts at the beginning of a (usually human) sexual encounter that serve to build up sexual arousal.

   “Actually in quick undressing or actual lovemaking modern nylons usually get ruined, but if you keep your nails and fingers smooth taking them off gently makes good foreplay, along with mutual undressing generally.”

   “Root (Amy Acker): Hey, sweetie, you busy? / Sameen Shaw (Sarah Shahi): A little. Skip the verbal foreplay, Root. Why you calling? / Root: Can't a couple of gals take a little break from work to catch up?”

verb

1. (intransitive)To engage in foreplay.

   “I decided, while we were foreplaying, that I must get a supply, just in case.”

   “We grabbed each other, roughly kissing and tossing covers and pillows about in our frantic lovemaking. We foreplayed and foreplayed, teased and teased again.”

   “While they were making love? It was true they weren't actually engaged in intercourse, but this certainly counted as foreplay. Iakovos stared down at her in complete disbelief. He'd never, ever had a woman fall asleep while he was foreplaying.”