bristle

American  

[bris-uhl] / ˈbrɪs əl /

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 British  

/ 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

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

Etymology

Origin of bristle

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

Example Sentences

We gather her keen interest isn’t entirely touristy but also, because Hinds is so good, that his wisecracks about religion — which she bristles at — have a basis in something personal, too.

From Los Angeles Times

His wife hated the new bristles, but he let them grow fuller and wilder.

From The Wall Street Journal

“He’s still accusing us of cheating, and I didn’t like it,” Kennedy bristled.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kevin Durant this week bristled at constant complaints at the lack of All-Star Game efforts by veteran US stars, urging a reporter to "ask the Europeans and the World Team if they want to compete."

From Barron's

That makes sense: Mr. Scorsese’s work bristled with New York sin, guilt and violence, while the author’s three subjects were all schooled and made their homes and films in California.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bridle
• fume
• seethe