bristle
1 of 2noun/ˈbrɪsəl/
Forms:bristles
1
a short, thick, coarse hair growing naturally on an animal or person
- The boar's bristles were rough to the touch.
- He felt the bristles of his unshaven chin.
- The dog's neck bristles stood up in alarm.
- The brush was made from pig bristles.
- The bristles on the caterpillar can cause irritation.
2
a stiff, coarse fiber, natural or synthetic, used in brushes or similar tools
- The broom's synthetic bristles wore down over time.
- The paintbrush's bristles were made of nylon.
- The vacuum head had fine bristles for dusting.
- The shoeshine brush used horsehair bristles.