Old English ciele, cele "cold, coolness, chill, frost," from Proto-Germanic *kal- "to be cold," from PIE root *gel- "cold" (see cold). According to OED, the word seems to have been obsolete after c.1400 (displaced by cold) and the modern use is a back-formation since c.1600 from the verb.
late 14c., intransitive, "to feel cold, grow cold;" c.1400, transitive, "to make cold," from chill (n.). Related: Chilled; chilling; chillingly. Figurative use from late 14c. Meaning "hang out" first recorded 1985; from earlier chill out "relax" (1979).
Sheila E. sizzles in the new flick, Krush Groove, but some New York critics couldn't groove with it because many of the terms are unfamiliar to them. Examples: breakin' out (slang for leaving), chill (for cool down) and death (for something that's really good). ["Jet," Nov. 11, 1985]
chill (chĭl)
n.
A feeling of cold, with shivering and pallor, sometimes accompanied by an elevation of temperature in the interior of the body.
To not get so excited; to take it easy: “Hey, chill out, we'll get there sooner or later.” This phrase can also mean to relax; to have a good time: “On my vacation I just want to chill out on the beach with a good book.” It is often shortened to the imperative chill: “Chill! We can do without your bad behavior.”
To relax; calm oneself; cool out, kick back: He offers her a lit joint. ''Chill out,'' he says/ She has become synonymous with bingeing celebrities who need to chill out (1980s+ Teenagers)
(also chilled) Excellent; wonderful; cool, fresh, rad: A ''chill'' outfit for a girl is tight Sergio Valente or Tale Lord jeans/ The top accolades (in 1986) include cool, chill or chilly, although froody and hondo also get high marks (1980s+ Teenagers)
nounA glass or can of beer (1960s+ Students)
verb