n., v., & adj.
--n.
1. a an unpleasant cold sensation; lowered body temperature. b a feverish cold (catch a chill).
2 unpleasant coldness (of air, water, etc.).
3 a a depressing influence (cast a chill over). b a feeling of fear or dread accompanied by coldness.
4 coldness of manner.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. make or become cold.
2 tr. depress, dispirit.
3 tr. cool (food or drink); preserve by cooling.
4 tr. harden (molten metal) by contact with cold material.
--adj. literary chilly.
Phrases and idioms:
take the chill off warm slightly.
Derivatives:
chiller n. chillingly adv. chillness n. chillsome adj. literary.
Etymology: OE cele, ciele, etc.: in mod. use the verb is the oldest (ME), and is of obscure orig.