From Middle English plesynge, pleizinge, plesende (present participle), equivalent to please + -ing.
pleasing (comparative more pleasing, superlative most pleasing)
- Agreeable; giving pleasure, cheer, enjoyment or gratification.
1950 December, H. C. Casserley, “Locomotive Cavalcade, 1920-1950—6”, in Railway Magazine, page 843:These two designs were neat and handsome, by modern standards, and very pleasing in appearance.
1962 October, Brian Haresnape, “Focus on B.R. passenger stations”, in Modern Railways, pages 250–251:Elegant brick and stone buildings, with iron and glass canopies and decorative wooden scalloping and fencing—all evidencing care on the part of the architect to produce a pleasing, well-planned building—were submerged beneath a profusion of ill-conceived additions and camouflaged by vulgar paint schemes; and the original conception was lost.
pleasing
- present participle and gerund of please.
From Middle English plesing, plesinge (“satisfaction; pleasing”), equivalent to please + -ing.
pleasing (countable and uncountable, plural pleasings)
- pleasure or satisfaction, as in the phrase "to someone's pleasing."
a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “(please specify the chapter name or sermon number). The Passion of our Blessed Saviour”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1830–1831, →OCLC:What more palpable confutation can there be of human vanity and arrogance, of all lofty imaginations, all presumptuous confidences, all turgid humours, all fond self-pleasings and self-admirings, than is that tragical cross […]