bristling

bris·tle

 (brĭs′əl)

n.

1. A stiff hair.

2. A stiff hairlike structure: the bristles of a wire brush.

v. bris·tled, bris·tling, bris·tles

v.intr.

1. To stand stiffly on end like bristles: The hair on the dog's neck bristled.

2. To raise the bristles: The cat bristled at the sight of the large dog.

3. To react in an angry or offended manner: The author bristled at the suggestion of plagiarism.

4. To be covered or thick with or as if with bristles: The path bristled with thorns.

v.tr.

1. To cause to stand erect like bristles; stiffen.

2. To furnish or supply with bristles.

3. To make bristly; ruffle.

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[Middle English bristel, probably from Old English *byrstel, from byrst, bristle.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

bristling

(ˈbrɪslɪŋ)

adj

1. containing stiff hairs

2. vigorous and energetic

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Translations

bristling

[ˈbrɪslɪŋ] adj

[moustache, beard, eyebrows] → broussailleux/euse

(= energetic) → énergique

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005