thrill (v.)
early 14c. metathesis of Middle English thirlen "to pierce, perforate, penetrate," from Old English þyrlian, þyrelian "perforate, pierce," from þyrel "hole" (in Middle English, also "nostril"), with -el + þurh "through" (see through). Compare Middle High German dürchel "pierced, perforated."
The sense of "affect with a sudden penetration of emotions, move deeply" is from late 14c. The meaning "give a shivering, exciting feeling" is recorded by 1590s. The intransitive sense of "quiver, move tremulously" is from 1776, originally of sound or light. Related: Thrilled; thrilling.
thrill (n.)
1670s, "a sudden, penetrating, shivering, exciting feeling," from thrill (v.). By 1817 as "a vibrating, quivering." The meaning "a thrilling experience" is attested from 1936. The Middle English noun thirl meant "an external orifice, a hole or aperture," especially a breathing hole, from Old English þyrel, þyrl.
Trends of thrill
updated on April 01, 2024
