I. ˈthril verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English thrillen, alteration of thirlen to pierce — more at thirl
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to perforate or penetrate with or as if with a pointed instrument
b. : to hurl (as a lance, spear) with strength
2. : to cause to have a shivering or tingling sensation : produce excitement in : affect emotionally
a spectacle which has thrilled and fascinated the human race — Barbara Buchman
new gold rushes continued to thrill the prospectors — R.A.Billington
3. : to cause to vibrate : affect so as to produce vibrations or quivering
an earthquake thrills the land
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : pierce — usually used with through
2.
a. : to act, move, or pass in such a manner as to provoke a sudden wave of emotion
a faint cold fear thrills through my veins — Shakespeare
b. : to experience an unexpected emotional reaction : feel a tingling or shivering sensation
people thrill to gay and beautiful music — London Calling
you'll thrill at seeing sights reminiscent of life two centuries ago — advt
the humblest peasant can thrill with pride — M.R.Cohen
3. : to move or act tremulously : seem to tremble : vibrate
very rocks seen to thrill with life — John Muir †1914
though a very old town … it thrills and reverberates with the romance of machinery — Arnold Bennett
II. noun
( -s )
1. : an instantaneous excitement : a tingling of or as if of the nerves produced by a sudden emotional reaction
the pungent thrill of hate — M.R.Cohen
her laughter contained a thrill of joy — Ellen Glasgow
a thrill of anticipation — Guy Priest
a little thrill of horror — W.S.Maugham
2. : a tangible vibration or tremor (as of the land during an earthquake) : throbbing
3. : an abnormal fine tremor or vibration in the respiratory or circulatory systems felt on palpation
4.
a. : a stirring, sensational, or exciting quality or element
stories … that for sheer thrills rival gold prospecting — Ruth & Leonard Greenup
b. : thriller
III.
variant of trill