▪ I. bristling, vbl. n.
(ˈbrɪslɪng)
In 6–7 brustling.
[f. bristle v.1 + -ing1.]
The action of the verb bristle; the rising on end of the hair.
| 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Enerizamiento..bristling of the haire. 1872 Darwin Emotions Introd. 12 The bristling of the hair under the influence of extreme terror. |
▪ II. ˈbristling, ppl. a.1
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
1. a. Of hair, etc.: That rises or stands stiffly on end. b. Of persons: Bristly, rough, shaggy.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 356 They have a like bristling mane growing on the back-bone. 1762 Beattie Triumph Mel. vii, Fear's cold hand erects his bristling hair. 1850 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. ix. 77 He was a great, tall, bristling Orson of a fellow. |
c. fig.
| a 1639 W. Whately Prototypes i. xix. (1640) 226 'Tis nothing but pride that sets up these bristling thoughts in you. 1864 Linnet's Trial I. ii. iii. 220 The bristling tone natural to a man who has quite made up his mind on a subject, but who feels by no means certain that he shall be able to justify it in argument. 1877 Peacock N.-W. Lincoln. Gloss. (E.D.S.). ‘There's a bristling breeze to-day, maister.’ |
2. Presenting a rough or prickly aspect, thickly armed (with sharp points, or with points of antagonism). Cf. L. horridus.
| 1598 Drayton Heroic. Ep. vi. 33 The brisling Reeds mov'd with soft Gales, did chide me. 1600 Heywood 1 Edw. IV, Wks. 1874 I. 25 Her bristling spires, her battled towers. 1843 Prescott Mexico v. iv. (1864) 300 The little army..with its bristling array of long swords and javelins, stood firm. 1855 Singleton Virgil I. 99 So thick upon the roofs doth pattering leap The bristling hail. |
b. fig.
| 1871 Blackie Four Phases i. 106 Religions..fenced with bristling dogmas. 1880 E. Cleminshaw Wurtz' Atom. The. 45 The theory..bristling with hypotheses and full of uncertainties. |
▪ III. ˈbristling, ppl. a.2
[f. bristle v.2]
Scorching; burning without flame.
| 1561 Hollybush Hom. Apoth. 37 a, Diseased with the fretting or briseling stone. 1866 Howells Venet. Life iii. 36 The pot full of bristling charcoal. |
▪ IV. bristling
var. brisling.