Bristle

a stiff hair on a plant or animal. The stems of many plants are clothed with bristles that impede the advance of insects toward the flowers and tender parts. The Venus flytrap is surrounded by a row of bristles that serve to imprison the insect when the trap closes. The mouth of a flycatching bird is usually surrounded by a row of bristles that assist in catching insects, or, at least, in guiding the insect into the mouth. Many animals "bristle up" by erecting the long hair on the back and shoulders, giving them a ferocious appearance with which to daunt their enemies.

Commercial bristles are obtained chiefly from the backs of hogs. The best are obtained from the gaunt hogs reared in the cold forests of Russia. North China markets 6,000,000 pounds a year. They fetch about 37 1/2 cents a pound. The coolies assort the bristles into several lots of from 2 1/2 to 6 inches in length, and tie them up in bunches about 2 inches in diameter. The Chinese workman is paid about four cents a day, and is expected to prepare half a pound of bristles daily. Fat animals, and those reared in warmer countries, have softer bristles. Bristles are much used to make painters' brushes, hair brushes, and by harness makers to tip the ends of their waxed threads.

To "bristle up," a classical expression used by Shakespeare, signifies making a sudden show of courage.