bristling

Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia.

bris·tle

(brĭs′əl)

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.

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

bristling

(ˈbrɪslɪŋ)

adj

1. containing stiff hairs

2. vigorous and energetic

Translations

bristling

[ˈbrɪslɪŋ] adj

[moustache, beard, eyebrows] → broussailleux/euse

(= energetic) → énergique

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

At such times, confronted by three sets of savage teeth, the young wolf stopped precipitately, throwing himself back on his haunches, with fore-legs stiff, mouth menacing, and mane bristling. This confusion in the front of the moving pack always caused confusion in the rear.

View in context

Here the Distressed One and the other duennas raised the veils with which they were covered, and disclosed countenances all bristling with beards, some red, some black, some white, and some grizzled, at which spectacle the duke and duchess made a show of being filled with wonder.

View in context

They closed in upon her, snarling and yelping, and she was buried, screaming with agony, beneath the bristling mass of bodies.