frisson

[ free-sohn; French free-sawn ]

noun

, plural fris·sons [free-, sohnz, f, r, ee-, sawn].

1. a sudden, passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion; thrill:

   The movie offers the viewer the occasional frisson of seeing a character in mortal danger.

frisson

/ frisɔ̃ /

noun

1. a shudder or shiver; thrill

Word History and Origins

Origin of frisson¹

First recorded in 1770–80; from French: “shiver, shudder,” Old French friçons (plural), from Late Latin frictiōnem, accusative of frictiō “shiver” (taken as derivative of frīgēre “to be cold”), from Latin: “massage, friction”; friction

Word History and Origins

Origin of frisson¹

C18 (but in common use only from C20): literally: shiver

Example Sentences

But then, they also take us to the dark side, the frisson and the sense of being on the edge of tragedy.

From Salon

Because the relationship between Southgate and England has never been straightforward; the frisson of 2018 has, at times in Germany, turned to friction.

From BBC

The initial frisson of this Iranian drama comes with the idea of revolution, reborn with each generation: young people taking to the front lines at great personal risk.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s going to add a frisson of excitement to the morning hikes.”

From BBC

But that clash of sensibilities lent a frisson to Monday’s premiere of “The Apprentice,” starring Sebastian Stan as a young Trump.

From New York Times