Word-Built World: horripilation

horripilation

/hôˌripəˈlāSHən,həˌripəˈlāSHən/

noun

LITERARY

noun: horripilation; plural noun: horripilations

  1. the erection of hairs on the skin due to cold, fear, or excitement.”a horripilation of dread tingled down my spine”

Origin

mid 17th century: from late Latin horripilatio(n- ), from Latin horrere ‘stand on end’ (see horrid) + pilus ‘hair’.

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