[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That is of concern, that gives cause for consideration; important, weighty. arch.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., II. xii. 157. When fasting is in order to greater and more concerning purposes, it puts on more religion.
1654. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 80. The Lords had a more concerning interest in the Prerogative.
1662. More, Philos. Writ., Pref. Gen. (1712), 8. I could not conceal so concerning a Truth.
1754. Richardson, Grandison (1781), III. xvii. 137. Lady L. speaking … on this concerning subject.
a. 1834. Coleridge, Lit. Rem., IV. 6. To utter all my meditations on this most concerning point.
b. That gives cause for anxiety or distress.
1741. Richardson, Pamela, II. 159. I cannot bear anything that is the least concerning to you.
2. As a pres. pple., concerning may be joined to its verbal object, and the whole combination used adjectively, as in all-concerning, soul-concerning, etc.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, IX. 425. But oh! remember ye, And in their generation let your sons Transmit to theirs the all-concerning truth.
1869. Haddan, Apost. Success., i. (1879), 7. Those … soul-concerning doctrines.
