bristle
bristle — noun
- bristlesingular
- bristlesplural
1. A short, thick, stiff hair that grows on the body of certain animals, such as pi
A short, thick, stiff hair that grows on the body of certain animals, such as pigs, wild boars, or dogs, and feels rough when you touch it.
Adina noticed a long bristle on the sofa after their dog shook itself dry.
William touched the wild boar's back and felt each bristle stand up under his palm.
collocation: bristle stand up (of hair/fur)
Ezra found a short, dark bristle stuck to the old wool blanket on the porch.
The pig's bristle was thick and wiry, nothing like the soft fur of a rabbit.
- hair
general term for any filament that grows on skin; bristle is thicker and stiffer than ordinary hair
- bristle hair
technical term for a stiff hair on an animal, used in biology
- whisker
a long, sensitive bristle near the mouth of some animals; refers to a specific type, not all body bristles
- down
soft, fine hair or feathers — the opposite texture from a bristle
用法筆記
The singular 'bristle' refers to one individual hair. The plural 'bristles' is far more common when describing an animal's coat.
常見錯誤
2. Each of the firm, rigid strands — made from animal hair, plastic, or metal wire
Each of the firm, rigid strands — made from animal hair, plastic, or metal wire — that are fixed onto a brush so it can be used for cleaning, painting, or grooming.
Bao rinsed the paintbrush until all the blue colour left the bristles.
Tanvi threw away her toothbrush because the bristles were bent and worn out.
collocation: bristles bent / worn out (toothbrush)
Yumi cleaned the hairbrush by pulling loose strands of hair from between the bristles.
Ignacio prefers a shaving brush with soft natural bristles instead of plastic ones.
bristle — verb
- bristlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- bristles3rd person singular
- bristling-ing form
- bristledpast simple
1. When hair or fur rises and stands up stiffly because the person or animal is fri
When hair or fur rises and stands up stiffly because the person or animal is frightened, cold, or very excited — for example, a cat's fur bristling when it sees a dog.
Defne felt the hairs on her arms bristle when the cold wind blew through the window.
pattern: hairs on [body part] + bristle + cause (wind / cold / fear)
When Kemi heard a loud crash, the hair on the back of her neck bristled with fear.
The cat's fur bristled as Andrés reached toward it, so he pulled his hand back slowly.
Tariro's hair bristled under his wool hat because the rough fabric irritated his skin.
- stand on end
less formal; used mostly for human hair in fear or shock
- puff up
used for birds or animals fluffing feathers or fur; less specific to stiffness
- ruffle up
implies movement, not just standing stiff; a bristled coat is already standing, not being moved
- lie flat
the normal resting state of hair or fur
文法句型
bristle + with [cause]
bristle + at [stimulus]
用法筆記
The subject is usually hair, fur, or a person's own body hair. The cause (fear, cold, excitement) is often introduced by 'with', 'at', or 'because of'. This sense is frequently used with animals (cats, dogs, wild boars).
常見錯誤
2. To become suddenly angry or upset when someone criticises you, insults you, or m
To become suddenly angry or upset when someone criticises you, insults you, or makes a suggestion that seems unfair — the frustration often shows immediately in your face or posture.
The manager bristled when a junior staff member questioned his decision at the meeting.
pattern: [person] bristled when [someone] + questioned / criticised
Dad still bristles every time someone mentions the dent he made in the garage door.
The journalist bristled at the suggestion that her story was based on unverified rumours.
Mira bristled with anger when she heard her colleague take credit for her work.
- bridle
very similar meaning but less common and more literary; suggests a visible stiffening of posture
- take offence
more neutral; focuses on the feeling rather than the visible reaction
- seethe
implies silent, suppressed anger; bristle often includes a visible or audible reaction
- accept
to receive criticism or a suggestion calmly and willingly
文法句型
bristle + at [stimulus]
bristle + with [emotion]
bristle + when [clause]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (HAIR STAND UP): here the subject is a person or a group, not hair. The anger is triggered by a specific remark, question, or action introduced by 'at'. Common in formal and written English to describe defensive reactions.
常見錯誤
3. To be covered or filled with a large number of things, especially thin, pointed,
To be covered or filled with a large number of things, especially thin, pointed, or dangerous items that make the surface look rough and spiky.
The old fence bristled with rusty nails that stuck out from every wooden board.
pattern: [object] bristles with [sharp / spiky items]
During winter the forest floor bristles with dry twigs and broken branches.
The hedgehog's back bristled with sharp needles that kept larger animals away from it.
A row of military vehicles bristled with antennas and communication equipment.
- be thick with
less visual; describes density without implying spikiness
- be studded with
suggests raised items arranged decoratively, not necessarily sharp or dangerous
- bristling with
the same verb in participle form used as an adjective; more dynamic feeling
- be bare of
having nothing on the surface
文法句型
bristle with + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Almost always used in the pattern '[subject] bristles with [objects]'. The subject is typically an inanimate thing or a surface, not a person. Unlike sense 1, this sense describes a state (being covered) rather than a movement of hair standing up.