<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>one of the short, stiff, coarse hairs of certain animals, especially hogs, used extensively in making brushes.</li><li>anything resembling these hairs.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used without object) to stand or rise stiffly, like bristles.</li><li>to erect the bristles, as an irritated animal (often followed by up): The hog bristled up.</li><li>to become rigid with anger or irritation: The man bristled when I asked him to move.</li><li>to be thickly set or filled with something suggestive of bristles: The plain bristled with bayonets.</li><li>to be visibly roused or stirred (usually followed by up).</li><li>(used with object) to erect like bristles: The rooster bristled his crest.</li><li>to furnish with a bristle or bristles.</li><li>to make bristly.</li></ul>