bristle > define

noun

• A stiff fiber (coarse hair or filament); natural or synthetic.
• A stiff hair.

verb

• Be in a state of movement or action.
  • usage: "The room abounded with screaming children"; "The garden bristled with toddlers"
  • synonyms: abound, burst
• Rise up as in fear.
  • usage: "The dog's fur bristled"; "It was a sight to make one's hair uprise"
  • synonyms: uprise, stand up
• Have or be thickly covered with or as if with bristles.
  • usage: "bristling leaves"
• React in an offended or angry manner.
  • usage: "He bristled at her suggestion that he should teach her how to use the program"

• (v.t.) To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
• (v.t.) To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the bristles of an angry hog; -- sometimes with up.
• (v.i.) To show defiance or indignation.
• (v.i.) To rise or stand erect, like bristles.
• (n.) A stiff, sharp, roundish hair.
• (v.i.) To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles.
• (n.) A short, stiff, coarse hair, as on the back of swine.