bristly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite very irritable
    waspish; prickly; splenetic.
    • bristly exchanges between the White House and the press
    • he became prickly and spiteful
    • witty and waspish about his colleagues
  2. adjective satellite having or covered with protective barbs or quills or spines or thorns or setae etc.
    barbed; burry; briary; briery; setaceous; thorny; barbellate; prickly; spiny; burred; setose; bristled.
    • a horse with a short bristly mane
    • bristly shrubs
    • burred fruits
    • setaceous whiskers

WordNet

Bris"tly adjective
Definitions
  1. THick set with bristles, or with hairs resembling bristles; rough.
    The leaves of the black mulberry are somewhat bristly. Bacon.

Webster 1913