Dictionary Home »
Webster's New World College Dictionary » chillingly
chillingly
Variant of chill
chill
definition
chill (c̸hil)
noun
- a feeling of coldness that makes one shiver; uncomfortable coolness
- a moderate coldness
- a damper on enthusiasm; discouraging influence
- a feeling of sudden fear, apprehension, etc.
- coolness of manner; unfriendliness
- Metallurgy a cooled iron mold placed in contact with that part of a casting which is to be cooled rapidly and thus hardened on the surface
Etymology: ME chile < OE ciele, coldness < Gmc *kal-, to be cold < IE base *gel-, cold > L gel- in gelidus, icy
adjective
intransitive verb
- to become cool or cold
- to be seized with a chill; shake or shiver, as with cold or fear
- ☆ Slang: usually with out
- to rest or relax
- to calm down: usually used in the imperative
- Metallurgy to become hardened on the surface by rapid cooling
transitive verb
- to make cool or cold
- to cause a chill in
- to check (enthusiasm, etc.)
- to depress; dispirit
- Metallurgy to harden (metal) on the surface by rapid cooling
Related Forms:
- chillingly chill′·ingly adverb
- chillness chill′·ness noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Browse dictionary definitions near chillingly