n.
Pronunciation: ' bri-s ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English bristil, from brust bristle, from Old English byrst; akin to Old High German burst bristle, and perhaps to Latin fastigium top
Date: 14th century
: a short stiff coarse hair or filament
– bris · tle · like \ ' bri-s ə (l)- ˌ l ī k \ adjective