[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That thrills, in various senses.
† 1. Penetrating, piercing. Also fig. Obs.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 208. A thrilling throbbe from her hart did aryse [gloss, A thrilling throb, a percing sighe]. Ibid. (1590), F. Q., I. iii. 42. He perced through his [the lion’s] chaufed chest With thrilling point of deadly yron brand.
1621. G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., VIII. (1626), 166. Æsonides then threw his thrilling lance [L. (l. 412) Misit et Æsonides jaculum].
1718. Pope, Iliad, XV. 528. Through his fair neck the thrilling arrow flies.
b. Piercing or penetrating, as cold; causing shivering or shuddering.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., III. i. 123. To recide In thrilling Region of thicke-ribbed Ice.
1753. Scots Mag., Oct., 516/1. Attended with a thrilling coldness.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), II. 59. A thrilling sort of chillness would run through my blood.
c. 1820. S. Rogers, Italy, Campagna of Rome, 91. Regions of thrilling ice.
2. Producing a sudden wave of excitement or emotion; piercing the feelings.
1761. Gray, Odin, 24. The thrilling verse that wakes the Dead.
1821. Joanna Baillie, Metr. Leg., Columbus, xix. A thrilling, fearful joy.
1867. Lady Herbert, Cradle L., viii. 220. Nazareth, a place of such deep and thrilling interest to every reader of the Gospel history.
3. Quivering, vibrating.
1850. Kingsley, Alt. Locke, xi. Insects … that poised themselves motionless on thrilling wings.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc. (1879), I. ii. 78. Let us look for a moment at this thrilling medium.
Hence Thrillingly adv.; Thrillingness.
1825. Southey, Tale Paraguay, III. xl. So thrillingly attuned the cadence fell, That with the music … She moved herself to tears.
1847. Webster, Thrillingness.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., iii. 71. How thrillingly grand is all this!
1891. Blackw. Mag., CL. 637/2. Emotions … of unexpected thrillingness.
