# abristle

CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abristle
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to stand up straight and stiff, like the hairs on an animal's back when it is angry or scared.

For teachers: to stand upright and stiffly, typically as a result of anger, fear, or excitement. Often describes the bristles of a brush or the hairs on an animal's skin.

## Examples

- The cat's fur stood abristle as it hissed at the stranger.
- The old brush was so worn that the bristles stood abristle and could no longer hold the paint.
- The hikers watched in awe as the wind caused the tall grass to stand abristle, creating a shimmering wall of green that seemed to breathe with the storm.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.