n.
- a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure.
▸an experience that produces such a feeling.
▸a wave or nervous tremor of emotion or sensation.
- Medicine a vibratory movement or resonance felt by placing a hand on the body.
▸archaic a throb or pulsation.
v.
- have or cause to have a thrill.
- (of an emotion or sensation) pass with a nervous tremor.
▸quiver or tremble.
Phrase
- thrills and spills
excitement and exhilaration.
Derivative
- thrilling adj.
- thrillingly adv.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘pierce or penetrate’): alt. of dial. thirl ‘pierce, bore’.