abristle

[ uh-bris-uhl ]

adverb

1. in a bristling state:

   an angry dog with its hairs abristle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abristle¹

First recorded in 1915–20; a- ¹ + bristle

Example Sentences

Straight to the house he ran, his teeth gleaming, his ruff abristle.

From Project Gutenberg

Ruff abristle, head down, snowy fangs glinting from under his upwrithing lip, young Jeff flew to meet him like a fluffy catapult.

From Project Gutenberg