ichidan verb, transitive verb
A transitive verb for moving the hand gently over a person, animal, or surface; often affectionate or soothing, as in 頭を撫でる or 猫を撫でる.
彼女は猫の背中をそっと撫でた。
She gently stroked the cat's back.
先生は子どもの
The teacher patted the child on the head and praised him.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
smooth down; comb lightly; neaten hair
Used especially for hair when smoothing it down or lightly arranging it by running a hand or comb over it; narrower than the general stroking sense.
彼は鏡を見ながら、乱れた髪を手で撫でて整えた。
Looking in the mirror, he smoothed his messy hair down with his hand.