Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
pilomotor

pilomotor

9.9
Causing small hairs on the skin to stand up and make goosebumps
  • adjective
  • /ˌpaɪləˈmoʊtər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pilomotor
  • A pilomotor reaction can make your skin develop goosebumps when you feel cold.

Examples

  • The pilomotor effect is often seen when someone is frightened or excited.

  • The pilomotor reflex causes hair to stand on end.

  • Doctors observed a pilomotor response in the patient after the nerve was stimulated.

  • During cold weather, the pilomotor response is triggered.

  • A pilomotor reaction occurs when your body experiences cold temperatures, causing the tiny muscles at the base of your hair follicles to contract.

  • The doctor explained that a pilomotor response can indicate a nervous reaction during times of stress or fear.

  • You may notice a pilomotor effect when you watch a scary movie, as your hair might stand on end due to adrenaline.

Compounds

pilomotor reflex
  • Specialized
1 7.7

An automatic body reaction that makes hairs stand up when you are cold, scared, or your skin is irritated

Surface Forms

pilomotor positive

Morphology

pilomotor = motor (opaque) = pilo + motor + pilo

Although analyzable as 'pilo-' (hair) + 'motor' (mover), 'pilo-' is a rare technical combining form and the term is specialized, so average learners cannot reliably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Pilomotor comes from two parts: pilo- meaning 'hair' and motor meaning 'mover', like the machine motor that makes things move. So a pilomotor reaction is literally a 'hair mover', which explains goosebumps when your hair stands up.