bristle

[ bris-uhl ]

/ ˈbrɪs əl /

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See synonyms for: bristle / bristled / bristles / bristling on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

anything resembling these hairs.

verb (used without object), bris·tled, bris·tling.

to stand or rise stiffly, like bristles.

to erect the bristles, as an irritated animal (often followed by up): The hog bristled up.

to become rigid with anger or irritation: The man bristled when I asked him to move.

to be thickly set or filled with something suggestive of bristles: The plain bristled with bayonets. The project bristled with difficulties.

to be visibly roused or stirred (usually followed by up).

verb (used with object), bris·tled, bris·tling.

to erect like bristles: The rooster bristled his crest.

to furnish with a bristle or bristles.

to make bristly.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM bristle

bris·tle·less, adjectivebris·tle·like, adjectivenon·bris·tled, adjectiveun·bris·tled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use bristle in a sentence

Some of our favorite dryers are equipped with nozzle and afro combs, styling tools like curlers, hot paddle brushes, or comb straighteners, and style dryers including boar bristle brushes, wide-tooth styling picks, and more.
The best hair dryer: Get a salon-worthy blowout at home|Carsen Joenk|January 22, 2021|Popular-Science
The softer bristles of your old dental tool might work for tuning up your sneakers, but deep grout cleaning requires something tougher.
Grout scrub brushes that tackle even the toughest stains|PopSci Commerce Team|January 19, 2021|Popular-Science
To dry brushes, arrange them around a sink with the bristles hanging over the edge, Suozzi said.
Bacteria can grow on your neglected makeup and brushes. Here’s what to toss and what to clean.|Allyson Chiu|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
Meanwhile, brushes should be washed with their tips pointed down to minimize the amount of water that collects where the bristles meet the base, Suozzi said, noting that mold can form there.
Bacteria can grow on your neglected makeup and brushes. Here’s what to toss and what to clean.|Allyson Chiu|December 17, 2020|Washington Post

That’s in line with the American Dental Association’s guidelines, which recommend replacing toothbrushes every three to four months, or more frequently if the bristles are visibly matted or frayed.
When to replace smoke detectors, sponges, pillows and more, according to experts|Daniel Bortz|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
Asked about the role he played, and the impact of his famous name, Goldwater bristled a bit.
Scenes from the GOP Civil War|Eleanor Clift|February 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Kelley bristled at the notion that women were supposed to be offended by the video.
‘Blurred Lines,’ Robin Thicke’s Summer Anthem, Is Kind of Rapey|Tricia Romano|June 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Rios Montt staunchly defended his actions against what he termed a deadly enemy, and bristled at the suggestion of genocide.
Guatemalan Dictator Efrain Rios Montt Guilty of Genocide|Mac Margolis|May 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But also I have always bristled at the idea that having a child is the most important thing I could ever do.
Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories|Harry Siegel|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Cheri Young bristled in her stylish blue dress, her shoulder-length hair let loose from the ponytail of the day before.
Cheri Young, the ‘Steel Magnolia’ of the Edwards Trial, Shoves Back|Diane Dimond|May 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Jordan bristled, and launched herself upon a long and virtuous sentence.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird
The sides of the wagons bristled with shafts, and their canvas tops were pierced with fine holes.
Overland|John William De Forest
To-day old Gaul bristles with free Communes, as three hundred years ago it bristled with feudal castles.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
Mr. Van Britt blew his cheeks out until the stubby, cropped mustache bristled like porcupine quills.
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
A hundred years ago its sides were without foliage or verdure and its few points of landing bristled with cannon.
Napoleon's Young Neighbor|Helen Leah Reed

British Dictionary definitions for bristle

bristle

/ (ˈbrɪsəl) /

noun

any short stiff hair of an animal or plant

something resembling these hairtoothbrush bristle

verb

(when intr , often foll by up) to stand up or cause to stand up like bristlesthe angry cat's fur bristled

(intr sometimes foll by up) to show anger, indignation, etcshe bristled at the suggestion

(intr) to be thickly covered or setthe target bristled with arrows

(intr) to be in a state of agitation or movementthe office was bristling with activity

(tr) to provide with a bristle or bristles

Derived forms of bristle

bristly, adjective

Word Origin for bristle

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bristle

Origin of bristle

OTHER WORDS FROM bristle

Words related to bristle

How to use bristle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bristle

Derived forms of bristle

Word Origin for bristle