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bris·tle
 bristle
- pronunciation:
- brI
s
 l
- parts of speech:
- noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a short, stiff hair, esp. on an animal.
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| definition 2: |
something made of or resembling such a hair.
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| related words: |
thorn |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
bristled, bristles, bristling |
| definition 1: |
to erect the bristles in fright or anger.
The porcupine bristled when it saw the cat.
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| definition 2: |
to respond with anger.
He bristled at the accusation.- similar words:
- bridle, fume, take exception
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| definition 3: |
to be densely covered or filled as if with bristles.
The advancing army bristled with rifles.- similar words:
- swarm
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| related words: |
abound, teem |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition: |
to cause to become stiff like bristles.
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| derivations: |
bristlelike (adj.), bristly (adj.) |
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