Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To have goose-flesh.
  • To produce horripilation in; cause to shrink or creep, as flesh.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb have one's hair stand on end and get goosebumps
  • verb cause (someone's) hair to stand on end and to have goosebumps

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • However, there are certain points of similarity between the Cheshire Puss and domestic cats that keep us on our toes: For example, cats do get angry and, when provoked, horripilate, that is, make their fur stand on end so they look bigger and more threatening.

    The Cheshire cat 2009

  • However, there are certain points of similarity between the Cheshire Puss and domestic cats that keep us on our toes: For example, cats do get angry and, when provoked, horripilate, that is, make their fur stand on end so they look bigger and more threatening.

    Archive 2009-05-01 2009

  • Charles Darwin was particularly struck by the fact that in this more extreme state of anger, cats do not bother to horripilate.

    The Cheshire cat 2009

  • Charles Darwin was particularly struck by the fact that in this more extreme state of anger, cats do not bother to horripilate.

    Archive 2009-05-01 2009

  • But for that brief moment it was like seeing myself through someone else's eyes, and it made me horripilate*, it was such a weird feeling.

    The One With Three Things, Two Acronyms And A Bomb kisobel 2006

  • from horrere we also get the words “horror” and “horripilate” (which means making the hair stand up in fear), which also related to the word “hedgehog” (!)

    Even Bad Boys - Lolcats 'n' Funny Pictures of Cats - I Can Has Cheezburger? 2009

  • horripilate” … sowndz laik tehy stowled taht wurd from teh lolcat!

    Even Bad Boys - Lolcats 'n' Funny Pictures of Cats - I Can Has Cheezburger? 2009

  • [1. horripilate] (verb) cause (someone's) hair to stand on end and to have goosebumps.

    Griffin And Hoxie Mega Feed 2010

  • [1. horripilate] (verb) cause (someone's) hair to stand on end and to have goosebumps.

    Griffin And Hoxie Mega Feed 2009

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