[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.
b. fig.
a. 1639. W. Whateley, 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, 2 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. Cleminshaw, trans. Wurtz’ Atom. The., 45. The theory … bristling with hypotheses and full of uncertainties.
