bristling

adj

1. Having bristles.
2. Reacting with anger or indignation.

   “Tottenham had hoped to make a statement of real intent against the title pace-setters and while manager Harry Redknapp did not secure the victory he craved, he at least saw his side match United every stride of the way in a game that fizzled out after a bristling start.”

3. (UK, dated)Dressed in effective defensive equipment while not seeking a fight.

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of bristle

noun

1. The act of one who bristles.

   “When dogs fight, there are usually preliminaries to the actual combat — snarlings and bristlings and stiff-legged struttings. But White Fang learned to omit these preliminaries.”

2. (alt-of, alternative)Alternative form of brisling.