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