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bris·tle

bristle

 
pronunciation:
brI sl
parts of speech:
noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a short, stiff hair, esp. on an animal.
definition 2: something made of or resembling such a hair.
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part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: bristles, bristling, bristled
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
definition 3: to be densely covered or filled as if with bristles.
The advancing army bristled with rifles.
similar words:
swarm
 
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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  anger, animal, hair, rodent, worm