HORRIPILATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does horripilation mean? 

• HORRIPILATION (noun)
  The noun HORRIPILATION has 1 sense:

1. reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation

  Familiarity information: HORRIPILATION used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HORRIPILATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

goose bump; goose pimple; goose skin; goosebump; gooseflesh; horripilation; pilomotor reflex

Hypernyms ("horripilation" is a kind of...):

inborn reflex; innate reflex; instinctive reflex; physiological reaction; reflex; reflex action; reflex response; unconditioned reflex (an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus)

Derivation:

horripilate (cause (someone's) hair to stand on end and to have goosebumps)

horripilate (have one's hair stand on end and get goosebumps)