Main Entry: ²bristle

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): bris·tled; bris·tling \ˈbris-liŋ, ˈbri-sə-\

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to furnish with bristles
2 : to make bristly : ruffleintransitive verb 1 a : to rise and stand stiffly erect <quills bristling> b : to raise the bristles (as in anger)
2 : to take on an aggressively defensive attitude (as in response to a slight or criticism) <he bristled at the accusations of corruption>
3 a : to be full of or covered with especially something suggestive of bristles <roofs bristled with chimneys> b : to be full of something specified <book bristles with detail and irony — W. J. Broad>