Emily Dickinson Lexicon

chill, n. [OE ciele, cold, coldness.] (webplay: air, cold, day, earth, evening, formal, freeze, gayety, growth, life, warm).

1. Coolness; sensation of cold in the body; [fig.] desolation; bleakness; loneliness of losing a loved one.
2. Loss of body heat; gradual cooling of body temperature due to death.
3. Shiver; thrill of excitement.
4. Cool breeze; wintry wind.
5. Polite insensitivity; unfeeling attitude; emotionally distant aspect; [fig.] lack of warmth; paucity of real affection.
6. Shiver; [fig.] movement caused by a cool breeze.
7. Blast; cold front; column of cool air.