bristle
BRIS-uhl
/ˈbrɪsəl/
A short, stiff hair, typically from an animal's skin, used to make brushes.
In grooming, natural bristles (like boar hair) are highly prized for hair and shaving brushes because they hold water and distribute natural oils better than synthetic nylon.
The story behind the word. Bristle comes from the Middle English 'brustyl', a diminutive of the Old English 'byrst' (a bristle), tracing back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to stand out or project.' It has always described stiff animal hair.
Word relationships
- stiff hair: Stiff hair is a descriptive phrase, while bristle is the specific noun for this type of fiber.
- down: Down refers to extremely soft, fine, fluffy feathers or hairs, the exact opposite of stiff bristles.
Commonly confused with
- fiber: Fiber is a broad term for any thread-like material, while bristle specifically refers to short, stiff hairs.
Word family
- bristly (adjective): Rough and covered with stiff hairs.
- bristled (verb): Stood up stiffly; reacted defensively.
Collocations
- stiff bristles
- boar bristle
- bristle brush
- synthetic bristles
Idioms & expressions
- bristle with anger
Example sentences
- "He used a stiff boar bristle brush to tame his wild beard and exfoliate his skin." Describing a high-quality grooming brush
- "The dog's neck hair began to bristle as the stranger approached the gate." A physical reaction of anger or fear
Memory hook
Think of a 'brush' that is 'bristling' with stiff little hairs that poke your fingers. Stiff hairs on a brush.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to soft, fine hairs (like down or fur) or thick, long locks of human hair.
Fun facts
- The term 'bristle' is also used metaphorically to describe someone showing sudden anger, mimicking how animals raise their fur when threatened.
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