Emily Dickinson Lexicon

THRILL, v.t. [Sax. thyrlian, thirlian; D. drillen, to drill, to bore; trillen, to shiver, pant, quaver; G. drillen, to drill; triller, a shake; trillern, to trill; Dan. driller, to bore, to drill; trilder, Sw. trilla, to roll; Dan. trille, a trill; W. troliaw; to troll or roll; all probably of one family, from the root of roll. See Drill.]

1. To bore; to drill; to perforate by turning a gimlet or other similar instrument. But in the literal sense, drill is now chiefly or wholly used. Spenser used it literally in the clause, “with thrill point of iron brand.”
2. To pierce; to penetrate; as something sharp. The cruel word her tender heart so thrill'd, / That sudden cold did run through every vein. Spenser. A servant that he bred, thrill'd with remorse. Shak.