GOOSEFLESH Meaning and
Definition
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Gooseflesh, also known as goose bumps or piloerection, is a physiological response of the body characterized by the raising of hair follicles on the skin, resulting in small bumps or tiny raised bumps resembling the skin of a plucked goose. This reaction is triggered by various stimuli, such as emotions, to maintain body temperature or as a response to fear, cold, or excitement.
Gooseflesh occurs when the arrector pili muscles, which are attached to each hair follicle, contract. This muscular contraction causes the hair to stand on end, creating the goosebump-like appearance on the skin. These muscles are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and are a remnant of our evolutionary ancestors who had more body hair.
The sensation of gooseflesh is often accompanied by a tingling or prickling feeling on the skin, and it may affect specific areas or spread across the body. It can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli, including sudden temperature changes, experiencing intense emotions like fear or elation, listening to certain types of music, or being touched in certain ways.
Gooseflesh is considered a normal and involuntary response of the body and usually subsides on its own once the triggering stimulus is removed or the body adjusts to the situation. While it may have a protective function in animals by making them appear larger or insulating them against the cold, gooseflesh serves mainly as a vestigial physiological response in humans.
Common Misspellings for GOOSEFLESH
- fooseflesh
- vooseflesh
- booseflesh
- hooseflesh
- yooseflesh
- tooseflesh
- gioseflesh
- gkoseflesh
- gloseflesh
- gposeflesh
- g0oseflesh
- g9oseflesh
- goiseflesh
- gokseflesh
- golseflesh
- gopseflesh
- go0seflesh
- go9seflesh
- gooaeflesh
- gooseeflesh
Etymology of GOOSEFLESH
The word gooseflesh has a straightforward etymology. It is a compound word consisting of goose and flesh. The term goose refers to the bird of the same name, while flesh refers to the skin or outer covering of living beings. Gooseflesh is used to describe the condition where the skin becomes covered in small raised bumps, resembling the skin of a plucked goose. This reaction is often triggered by a sudden chill or fright and is also known as goosebumps.
Similar spelling words for GOOSEFLESH
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