Bristle Definition
brĭsəl
bristled, bristles, bristling
noun
bristles
Any short, stiff, prickly hair of an animal or plant.
Webster's New World
Any of the hairs of a hog or of some other animals, used for brushes.
Webster's New World
Such a hair, or an artificial hair like it, in a brush.
Webster's New World
verb
bristled, bristles, bristling
To become stiff and erect, like bristles.
Webster's New World
To put bristles on or in.
Webster's New World
To have the bristles become erect, as in fear or irritation.
Webster's New World
To show strong anger, irritation, outrage, etc. as by a stiffening of the body.
Webster's New World
To react in an angry or offended manner.
The author bristled at the suggestion of plagiarism.
American Heritage
Origin of Bristle
Middle English bristel probably from Old English byrstel from byrst bristle
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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