bris’l.

The stiff glossy hair of swine, especially that growing on the back, used for making brushes; similar hair on other animals.

A species of pubescence on plants, in form of stiff roundish hair.

To erect in bristles; to erect in defiance or anger, like a swine; as, to bristle the crest.

To fix a bristle; as, to bristle a thread.

To rise or stand erect; as, the hair bristles.

To raise the head and strut, as in anger or defiance; as, a man bristles up to another. In this sense the word is common in the U. States, but generally pronounced brustle.