shilling shocker

noun

1

: a novel of crime or violence especially popular in late Victorian England and costing originally one shilling compare dime novel, penny dreadful

2

: a usually short novel that is characterized by sensational incidents and lurid writing

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!