chilling

English

Adjective

chilling (comparative more chilling, superlative most chilling)

1. Becoming cold.
   • 1936, Djuna Barnes, Nightwood, Faber & Faber 2007, p. 22:

     As they reached the street the ‘Duchess’ caught a swirling hem of lace about her chilling ankles.

2. Causing mild fear.

   It was a chilling story, but the children enjoyed it

   • 22 March 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club The Hunger Games[1]

     Displaying a sturdy professionalism throughout that stops just short of artistry, director Gary Ross, who co-scripted with Collins and Billy Ray, does his strongest work in the early scenes, which set up the stakes with chilling efficiency.

Verb

chilling

1. Present participle of chill.

Derived terms

• bone-chilling