GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Bristle , n. [OE. bristel, brustel, AS. bristl, byrst; akin to D. borstel, OHG. burst, G. borste, Icel. burst, Sw. borst, and to Skr. bhṛshti edge, point, and prob, L. fastigium extremity, Gr. ἄφλαστον stern of a ship, and E. brush, burr, perh. to brad. √96.]
   A short, stiff, coarse hair, as on the back of swine.
   1913 Webster
   (Bot.) A stiff, sharp, roundish hair.
   Gray.
   
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2.       
   Bristle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bristled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Bristling .]
   To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the bristles of an angry hog; -- sometimes with up.
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   Now for the bare-picked bone of majesty
   Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest.
   Shak.
   
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   Boy, bristle thy courage up.
   Shak.
   
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   To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
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3.       
   Bristle, v. i.
   To rise or stand erect, like bristles.
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   His hair did bristle upon his head.
   Sir W. Scott.
   
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   To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles.
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   The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten thousand bayonets.
   Thackeray.
   
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   Ports bristling with thousands of masts.
   Macaulay.
   
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   To show defiance or indignation.
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   To bristle up, to show anger or defiance.
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