BRISTLE UP • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Bristle up

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/brˈɪsəl əp/ Listen

verb

Bristle v. i.

To rise or stand erect, like bristles. "His hair did bristle upon his head."

To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles. "The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten thousand bayonets." "Ports bristling with thousands of masts."

To show defiance or indignation.

To bristle up, to show anger or defiance.

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Etymology of 'Bristle up'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Bristle up" Quotes from Famous Books

... not forgotten; his once sweet temper was a trifle soured, and, with a few exceptions, he had lost his faith in mankind. Before, he had been the most benevolent and hospitable of dogs; now, he eyed all strangers suspiciously, and the sight of a shabby man made him growl and bristle up, as if the memory of his wrongs still burned ...

— St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. V, August, 1878, No 10. - Scribner's Illustrated • Various

... means all this surveying, madam? You bristle up to me, and wheel about me, like a turkey-cock that is making love: Faith, how do you like my ...

— The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18) - Almanzor And Almahide, Marriage-a-la-Mode, The Assignation • John Dryden