frisson — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A sudden surge of excitement.

   Examples

   I felt a frisson just as they were about to announce the winner in my category.

   More examples (1)

   As a perversion of freedom it was, like any perversion, erotic; as alienation it carried the frisson of having just missed the brass ring, a sensation that always brought one back for more.

2. A shiver; a thrill.

   Examples

   Whenever the villain's theme played in the movie I felt a sudden frisson down my back.

   All the Crichton books depend to a certain extent on a little frisson of fear and suspense: that’s what kept you turning the pages.

Noun

1. an almost pleasurable sensation of fright

   Synonyms

   shiverchillquivershudderthrilltingle

   Broader terms

   fearfearfulnessfright

   Examples

   a frisson of surprise shot through him