bristle

[bris-uhl]

noun

1. one of the short, stiff, coarse hairs of certain animals, especially hogs, used extensively in making brushes.

2. anything resembling these hairs.

verb (used without object)

bristled, bristling 

1. to stand or rise stiffly, like bristles.

2. to erect the bristles, as an irritated animal (often followed byup ).

   The hog bristled up.

3. to become rigid with anger or irritation.

   The man bristled when I asked him to move.

4. to be thickly set or filled with something suggestive of bristles.

   The plain bristled with bayonets. The project bristled with difficulties.

5. to be visibly roused or stirred (usually followed byup ).

verb (used with object)

bristled, bristling 

1. to erect like bristles.

   The rooster bristled his crest.

2. to furnish with a bristle or bristles.

3. to make bristly.

bristle

/ ˈbrɪsəl /

noun

1. any short stiff hair of an animal or plant

2. something resembling these hair

   toothbrush bristle

verb

1. to stand up or cause to stand up like bristles

   the angry cat's fur bristled

2. to show anger, indignation, etc

   she bristled at the suggestion

3. (intr) to be thickly covered or set

   the target bristled with arrows

4. (intr) to be in a state of agitation or movement

   the office was bristling with activity

5. (tr) to provide with a bristle or bristles

Other Word Forms

• bristly adjective
• bristleless adjective
• bristlelike adjective
• nonbristled adjective
• unbristled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bristle¹

before 1000; Middle English bristel, equivalent to brist ( Old English byrst bristle, cognate with German Borste, Old Norse burst ) + -el diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of bristle¹

C13 bristil , brustel , from earlier brust , from Old English byrst ; related to Old Norse burst , Old High German borst

Example Sentences

It’s impossible to recapture the magic of the first season, but Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ Season 2, starring Jenna Ortega, bristles with its own ghoulish charm.

From Los Angeles Times

The industry has simultaneously claimed that it is addressing methane while bristling at oversight.

From Salon

"Instead, we have an animal bristling with spikes like a hedgehog, the most bizarre armour that we've ever found in any animal, far outside the range of armour seen in later ankylosaurs."

From BBC

Some have bristled at the alacrity with which Solis has appeared to consolidate support.

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats bristled at the questions about their actions, including grilling by reporters and Republicans about who had drawn the proposed congressional districts that the party wants to put before voters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bridle 
• fume 
• seethe