Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for HOR'ROR
HOR-RIS'ON-OUSHOR'ROR-STRICK-EN
HOR'ROR, n. [L. from horreo, to shake or shiver, or to set up the bristles, to be rough.]
- A shaking, shivering or shuddering, as in the cold fit which precedes a fever. This ague is usually accompanied with a contraction of the skin into small wrinkles, giving it a kind of roughness.
- An excessive degree of fear, or a painful emotion which makes a person tremble; terror; a shuddering with fear; but appropriately, terror or a sensation approaching it, accompanied with hatred or detestation. Horror is often a passion compounded of fear and hatred or disgust. The recital of a bloody deed fills us with horror. A horror of great darkness fell on Abram. Gen. xv. Horror hath taken hold on me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Ps. xix.
- That which may excite horror or dread; gloom; dreariness. And breathes a browner horror on the woods. Pope.
- Dreadful thoughts.
- Distressing scenes; as, the horrors of war or famine.
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