WordWeb Online

1. A stiff fibre (coarse hair or filament); natural or synthetic
    
2. A stiff hair

1. Be in a state of movement or action
   "The garden bristled with toddlers"
   - abound, burst
    
2. Rise up as in fear
   "The dog's fur bristled"
   - uprise, stand up
    
3. Have or be thickly covered with or as if with bristles
   "bristling leaves"
    
4. React in an offended or angry manner
   "He bristled at her suggestion that he should teach her how to use the program"

Derived forms: bristling, bristled, bristles

See also: bristly

Type of: feature, fiber [US], fibre [Brit, Cdn], hair, have, react, respond

Part of: brush

Encyclopedia: Bristle