horripilation

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n horripilation reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • n Horripilation (Med) A real or fancied bristling of the hair of the head or body, resulting from disease, terror, chilliness, etc.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n horripilation A contraction of the cutaneous muscles, producing the erection of the hairs and the condition known as cutis anserina or goose-flesh. It is accompanied by a kind of creeping sensation in the skin, and may be produced by cold, peculiar and sudden emotions, such as fear, or certain nervous affections.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Horripilation hor-i-pi-lā′shun a contraction of the cutaneous muscles causing the erection of the hairs and the condition known as goose-flesh
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
L. horripilatio, fr. horripilare, to bristle; horrere, to bristle + pilus, the hair: cf. F. horripilation,

Usage

In literature:

And all the citizens and the subjects from the country horripilated in joy.
"Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Bk. 3 Pt. 1" by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
And all the citizens and the subjects from the country horripilated in joy.
"The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1"
The whole company were in a state of horripilation.
"The Silver Lining" by John Roussel
But, suddenly, through all the horripilation there seemed to shine a light.
"Pemrose Lorry, Camp Fire Girl" by Isabel Katherine Hornibrook
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