chillnessn.
/ˈtʃɪlnɪs/ Chill quality or condition.
1. Unpleasant coldness, chilling quality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > [noun] > unpleasant or penetrating
chillness1598
bleakness1600
chilliness1764
chill1788
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Gelidezza, coldnesse, chilnesse, freasing, frost.
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse 29 The exceeding chilnesse of the aire.
1784 S. Johnson Let. 21 Apr. (1994) IV. 319 Not caring to venture the chilness of the evening.
1868 N. Hawthorne Amer. Note-bks. (1879) II. 41 After so much stormy chillness.
2. The sensation of cold; the state of being unpleasantly cold and shivering.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > [noun] > sensation of cold
coldOE
cheald1340
chillness1599
chilliness1708
1599 A. M. tr. O. Gaebelkhover Bk. Physicke 294/1 If it [the plague] take him with..chillness..cover him well that he may sweate.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §793 There followeth a chilness or Shivering in all the Body.
1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. vii. 85 He cannot think of it, but as we do of the grave, with a chilness upon the blood, and a tremor in the spirits.
1790 W. Buchan Domest. Med. (ed. 11) lv. 639 When cold bathing occasions chilness..it ought to be discontinued.
1823 W. Scott Peveril III. xii. 290 The chillness of his ancles.
3. figurative. Absence of warmth of temperament, feeling, or manner; want of zeal or interest.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [noun] > coldness or lack of warm feeling
coldOE
coldness1557
iciness1579
frost1600
frostiness1629
frigiditya1631
nun's flesh1637
chillness1639
froideur1645
chilliness1817
touch-me-not-ishness1836
chill1837
cold-heartedness1850
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [noun] > lack of affability
strangenessc1386
unhomelinessc1440
fremdnessa1500
coldness1557
coolnessa1586
self-guarda1586
diskindness1596
formality1599
reservedness1606
inaffability1611
restrainta1616
unconess1637
chillness1639
froideur1645
distance1660
starchedness1670
buckram1682
starchness?1693
starch1694
reserve1711
stiffness1717
unapproachableness1727
retirement1803
angularity1824
standoffishness1826
distancy1836
chill1837
starchiness1844
unapproachability1846
hedgehogginess1858
standoff1865
offishness1867
aloofness1878
pokerishness1880
untouchableness1909
untouchability1919
stuffiness1926
1639 O. Sedgwick Mil. Discipl. 93 Why that remissenesse and chilnesse to encourage..the exercise of Armes?
1701 G. Whitehead Truth Prevalent 59 Under such Chilness of Zeal.
1754 S. Johnson Life Cave in Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 57 The same chilness of mind was observable in his conversation.
1846 N. Hawthorne Mosses from Old Manse II. 54 The chillness of his moral atmosphere.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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