The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Bristle \Bris"tle\, v. i.
   1. To rise or stand erect, like bristles.
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            His hair did bristle upon his head.   --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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   2. To appear as if covered with bristles; to have standing,
      thick and erect, like bristles.
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            The hill of La Haye Sainte bristling with ten
            thousand bayonets.                    --Thackeray.
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            Ports bristling with thousands of masts. --Macaulay.
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   3. To show defiance or indignation.
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   To bristle up, to show anger or defiance.
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