# touching

Pronunciation: say "TUCH-ing" /ˈtʌt͡ʃɪŋ/

## Adjective

1. Causing sadness and pity among those who witness a sad event or situation.
   - Simple: Making people feel sad and full of pity.
   - _The soldier's farewell to his children was a touching scene that left the platform in tears._
   - _She delivered a touching tribute to the colleagues lost in the accident._
3. In direct physical contact with something else, with no space separating them.
   - Simple: Right next to another thing, with no gap in between.
   - _The bookshelves stood touching the wall along the entire room._
   - _Make sure the two edges are touching before you apply the glue._

## Verb

2. Present participle of touch. — present participle and gerund of touch
   - Simple: Present participle of touch. Use this form for something happening right now.
   - _Touching the sculptures is strictly forbidden in this gallery._
   - _The toddler was touching everything within reach._

## Noun

4. The act of making physical contact with something or someone.
   - Simple: The action of putting a hand or fingers on something.
   - _The careful touching of the fragile petals revealed how soft they were._
   - _Repeated touching of the wound slowed its healing considerably._
6. A snack served alongside alcoholic drinks in an informal setting. *(India)*
   - Simple: A small snack you eat with alcoholic drinks in a relaxed place.
   - _Uncle opened a bottle of rum, and Aunty sent plates of touchings out from the kitchen._
   - _Friends lingered over their beers and a plate of warm touchings._

## Preposition

5. About or in reference to a particular matter under discussion.
   - Simple: About or having to do with a subject.
   - _The letter offered little guidance touching the question of inheritance._
   - _Witnesses were asked to give their accounts touching the events of that night._

## Origin

**Meanings 1–3, 5** — From Middle English "touchynge," equivalent to "touch" plus the suffix "-ing."
**Meanings 4, 6** — From Middle English "touching" (also "touchinge," "touchynge"), equivalent to "touch" plus the suffix "-ing."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/touching (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).