piloerection
Hair standing up
Piloerection is the involuntary bristling of body hair, caused by tiny muscles at the base of hair follicles contracting.
In humans, it produces goosebumps—those small raised bumps on the skin triggered by cold, fear, or strong emotion.
In animals with thicker fur, piloerection serves to trap warmth or make the creature appear larger to threats.
Raised skin from cold
- goosefleshRaised skin from chill
- follicleSkin cavity growing strands
- dermisLiving tissue under epidermis
- skinBody's outer layer
reflex · involuntary · autonomic · sympathetic · cutaneous · epidermal · hair follicle · muscle contraction
Cold sensation or relaxation
- shiverInvoluntary trembling sensation
- draftPreliminary version of text
- frigidExtremely and intensely cold
- freezingExtremely cold
frostbite · hypothermia · goosebumps · tremble · shudder · temperature drop · cold exposure · icy
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- frightSudden intense fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
startle · alarm · creepy · eerie · spine-tingling · hair-raising · chilling · menacing
Erectile neck feathers
- bristlingStanding stiffly outward
- furAnimal body hair
- quillsHollow defensive animal spikes
- maneNeck hair, horse/lion
porcupine · cat · dog · wolf · aggression · defensive · territorial · puffing up
Momentary shiver of feeling
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- aweReverent fear and wonder
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
chills · tingles · shivers · emotional response · peak experience · moving · stirring · transcendent
goosebumps
Raised skin from cold
- goosefleshRaised skin from chill
- follicleSkin cavity growing strands
- dermisLiving tissue under epidermis
skin · reflex · involuntary · autonomic · sympathetic · cutaneous · epidermal · hair follicle · muscle contraction
chill
Cold sensation or relaxation
- shiverInvoluntary trembling sensation
- draftPreliminary version of text
- frigidExtremely and intensely cold
freezing · frostbite · hypothermia · goosebumps · tremble · shudder · temperature drop · cold exposure · icy · brisk
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
panic · startle · alarm · creepy · eerie · spine-tingling · hair-raising · chilling · menacing · ominous
hackles
Erectile neck feathers
mane · porcupine · cat · dog · wolf · aggression · defensive · territorial · puffing up · intimidation
frisson
Momentary shiver of feeling
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- aweReverent fear and wonder
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
euphoria · chills · tingles · shivers · emotional response · peak experience · moving · stirring · transcendent · rapture
piloerectionsweating
Moisture through pores
perspiration · diaphoresis · heat dissipation · vasodilation · flushing