from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bristle \Bris"tle\, v. i.
1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles.
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His hair did bristle upon his head. --Sir W.
Scott.
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2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing,
thick and erect, like bristles.
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The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten
thousand bayonets. --Thackeray.
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Ports bristling with thousands of masts. --Macaulay.
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3. To show defiance or indignation.
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{To bristle up}, to show anger or defiance.
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