bristle
one of the short, stiff, coarse hairs of certain animals, especially hogs, used extensively in making brushes.
anything resembling these hairs.
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).
to erect like bristles: The rooster bristled his crest.
to furnish with a bristle or bristles.
to make bristly.
Origin of bristle
1Other words from bristle
- bris·tle·less, adjective
- bris·tle·like, adjective
- non·bris·tled, adjective
- un·bris·tled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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-ScienceThe 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-ScienceMeanwhile, 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 PostTo 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 PostThat’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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTRios 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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut 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 | THE DAILY BEASTCheri 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 | THE DAILY BEASTMrs. Jordan bristled, and launched herself upon a long and virtuous sentence.
The Daughters of Danaus | Mona CairdThe sides of the wagons bristled with shafts, and their canvas tops were pierced with fine holes.
Overland | John William De ForestTo-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 SueMr. Van Britt blew his cheeks out until the stubby, cropped mustache bristled like porcupine quills.
The Wreckers | Francis LyndeA 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
/ (ˈbrɪsəl) /
any short stiff hair of an animal or plant
something resembling these hair: toothbrush bristle
(when intr , often foll by up) to stand up or cause to stand up like bristles: the angry cat's fur bristled
(intr sometimes foll by up) to show anger, indignation, etc: she bristled at the suggestion
(intr) to be thickly covered or set: the target bristled with arrows
(intr) to be in a state of agitation or movement: the office was bristling with activity
(tr) to provide with a bristle or bristles
Origin of bristle
1Derived forms of bristle
- bristly, adjective
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
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