Bristle \Bris"tle\, v. i.

1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles. [1913 Webster]

His hair did bristle upon his head. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing, thick and erect, like bristles. [1913 Webster]

The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten thousand bayonets. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]

Ports bristling with thousands of masts. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

3. To show defiance or indignation. [1913 Webster]

To bristle up, to show anger or defiance. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

Bristle \Bris"tle\, v. i.

1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles.

His hair did bristle upon his head. --Sir W. Scott.

2. 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. --Thackeray.

Ports bristling with thousands of masts. --Macaulay.

3. To show defiance or indignation.

To bristle up, to show anger or defiance.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)