/ ˈbrɪsl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a short stiff hair :
the bristles on his chin
2.
one of the short stiff hairs or wires in a brush
■ verb [ v ]
1.
bristle (with sth) (at sth) to suddenly become very annoyed or offended at what sb says or does :
His lies made her bristle with rage.
2.
( of an animal's fur ) to stand up on the back and neck because the animal is frightened or angry
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PHRASAL VERBS
- bristle with sth
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old English byrst (of Germanic origin, related to German Borste ) + -le .