First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1bristle
noun bris·tle \ˈbri-səl\
: a short, stiff hair, fiber, etc.
Full Definition of BRISTLE
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament
— bris·tle·like \ˈbri-sə(l)-ˌlīk\ adjective
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Origin of BRISTLE
Middle English bristil, from brust bristle, from Old English byrst; akin to Old High German burst bristle, and perhaps to Latin fastigium top
Other Botany Terms
2bristle
verb
of hair : to rise up and become stiff
: to show signs of anger : to become angry
bris·tledbris·tling \ˈbris-liŋ, ˈbri-sə-\
Full Definition of BRISTLE
transitive verb
1
: to furnish with bristles
intransitive 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>
See bristle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BRISTLE
15th century
Related to BRISTLE
BRISTLE Defined for Kids
1bristle
noun bris·tle \ˈbri-səl\
Definition of BRISTLE for Kids
1
: a short stiff hair <a hog's bristle>
2
: a stiff hair or something like a hair fastened in a brush
2bristle
verb
bris·tledbris·tling
Definition of BRISTLE for Kids
1
: to rise up and stiffen like bristles <Her evil laugh makes your hair bristle.>
2
: to show signs of anger <The judge bristled at the reminder of her stupidity. — Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game>
3
: to be covered with <The bush bristled with thorns.>
Medical Dictionary
bristle
noun bris·tle \ˈbris-əl\
Medical Definition of BRISTLE
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament
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