bristle

US /ˈbrɪs.əl/
UK /ˈbrɪs.əl/
"bristle" picture
1.

a short, stiff hair or filament, typically one of those on an animal's skin or a plant's stem, or a synthetic one used in a brush

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The boar's back was covered with coarse bristles.
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The brush had soft, natural bristles.
:
hairspinequillwhiskerfiber
1.

(of hair or fur) stand upright

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The dog's fur began to bristle when it sensed danger.
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His hair bristled with anger.
:
stand upriseerectstand on end
2.

react angrily or defensively

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She bristled at the suggestion that she was incompetent.
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He tends to bristle when criticized.
:
fumerageflare uptake offenseget angry