chill

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An unpleasant feeling of cold.

   There was a chill in the air as the sun went down.

2. 2
   noun

   A sudden cold feeling in the body, often a sign of illness.

   Close the window or you'll catch a chill.

3. 3
   noun

   A sudden feeling of fear or dread.

   Despite the heat, he felt a chill as he entered the crime scene.

4. 4
   noun

   A lack of friendliness or warmth between people.

   There was a clear chill between the two leaders after the dispute.

5. 5
   verb

   To make someone feel discouraged or afraid.

   The news of the city's surrender chilled the soldiers.

From Middle English chele, chile, from Old English ċiele, ċele (“cold; coldness”), from Proto-West Germanic *kali, from Proto-Germanic *kaliz, from Proto-Indo-European *gel- (“to be cold”). Closely related with Dutch kil. Also akin to cool, cold, gel, and congeal, which see.

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