bristle

pronunciation

How to pronounce bristle in British English: UK [ˈbrɪsl]word uk audio image

How to pronounce bristle in American English: US [ˈbrɪsəl] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    a stiff fiber (coarse hair or filament); natural or synthetic
    a stiff hair
  • Verb:
    be in a state of movement or action
    rise up as in fear

Word Origin

bristle (n.)
Old English byrst "bristle," with metathesis of -r-, from Proto-Germanic *bursti- (cognates: Middle Dutch borstel, German borste), from PIE *bhrsti- from root *bhars- "point, bristle" (cognates: Sanskrit bhrstih "point, spike"). With -el, diminutive suffix.
bristle (v.)
c. 1200 (implied in past participle adjective bristled) "set or covered with bristles," from bristle (n.). Meaning "become angry or excited" is 1540s, from the way animals show fight. Related: Bristling.

Example

1. Cross-border deals bristle with cultural challenges .
2. This toothbrush is real bristle .
3. That is a notion at which britain and others will bristle .
4. The street bristle with armed guards after the latest terrorist attack .
5. The politically correct will bristle at mr ferguson 's defence of empire-though he does not shy from its enormities .

more: >How to Use "bristle" with Example Sentences