| a rough condition of the skin, resembling that of a plucked goose, induced by cold or fear; horripilation. |
| goose bumps pl.n. Momentary roughness of the skin caused by erection of the papillae in response to cold or fear. Also called goose flesh, goose pimples. |
| goose pimples pl.n. See goose bumps. |
goose pimples
Also, goose bumps or flesh. Temporary rough skin caused by small raised bumps. For example, Horror movies always give me goose pimples, or She tends to get goose bumps whenever she goes to the dentist. This expression likens the skin of a plucked goose to the condition of human skin when a person is cold or afraid. [Early 1800s]
