As a noun, a short, stiff hair, like those on a brush or some animals; as a verb, to stand up stiffly or to show sudden anger or defensiveness.
From Old English “brysel,” related to “brys,” meaning “bristle or brush,” and linked to other Germanic words for stiff hairs. The emotional sense comes from animals’ hairs rising when they are alarmed or angry.
When you “bristle” at a comment, your body is copying what animals do when their fur stands on end. The word lets you picture invisible emotional hackles rising, even if no hair actually moves.
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