AFFECT'ING, participle present tense 1. Impressing; having an effect on; touching the feelings; moving the passions; attempting a false show; greatly desiring; aspiring to possess. 2. adjective Having power to excite, or move the passions; tending to move the affections; pathetic; as, an affecting address. The most affecting music is generally the most simple.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI