adv. [f. TOUCHING ppl. a. + -LY2.] In a touching manner; so as to touch the feelings; affectingly, pathetically.

1

1717.  Garth, Ovid’s Met., Pref. This last fable shows how touchingly the poet argues in love affairs, as well as those of Medea and Scylla.

2

1824.  Examiner, 246/2. Sympathy … makes the scene tell more touchingly.

3

1884.  Q. Victoria, More Leaves, 210. He prayed most touchingly for me.

4

  So Touchingness, touching or affecting quality, pathos.

5

a. 1750.  A. Hill, Wks. (1753). II. 355. He … charm’d me infinitely … by a peculiar touchingness, in cadency of voice.

6

1823.  Examiner, 411/1. Her medium notes have a touchingness about them which is not common.

7

1841.  Fraser’s Mag., XXIII. 315. To … prove The simple touchingness of Morn.

8

1876.  G. Meredith, Beauch. Career, II. v. 79. Beauchamp had the history … recounted to him, with a mixture of Gallic irony, innuendo, openness, touchingness, ridicule, and charity novel to his ears.

9