[f. AFFECT v. + -ING1.] The process of the vbs. AFFECT in various senses; now mostly gerundial.
1. Aiming at, showing fondness for, ostentatiously displaying, pretending.
1564. Haward, Eutrop., To Reader 7. The affectynge and desyre of the attaynynge of the Greeke, Latyne, Italian and other tounges.
a. 1649. Drumm. of Hawth., Wks., 1711, 162. If any part of his work distaste the reader, it will be the extreme affecting of policy.
Mod. The folly of affecting ignorance of what had happened.
2. Assuming artificial airs.
3. Moving of the emotions.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. 1842, I. 30. Pain and pleasure, in their most simple and natural manner of affecting.
