Definition of "affronting"

We hope that he is, and that our misgivings arise solely from the Minister's characteristically affronting approach to a railway matter.

1961 May, “Editorial: Mr. M. presents Dr. B. - for a limited season only”, in Trains Illustrated, page 258

the affrontings of his majesty

a. 1631, John Donne, Sermon preached upon the penitential psalms

How much more affronting must it be to the Majefty of Heaven, the Great KING, to be thus treated?

1718, Samuel Keimer, A Brand pluck'd from the Burning, page 108

There was afterwards one despatch from the Russian Minister to Earl Russell which in former times must have led to instant war, because it was of a very affronting character to the great nation which the noble Earl represented.

1866 June 11, Great Britain. Parliament, The Parliamentary Debates, page 165

The ladies tell me that there is no Adonis, which is very affronting —only old men (alias old women) , and boys like Thomas Thumb, with the legs of a starved spider.

1888, Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, ‎ Alexander Allardyce, Letters from and to Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe - Volume 2, page 361