the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [adjective] > having a coat > hairy, furry, or woolly > having bristles or bristly (10)
Covered, set, or tipped with bristles or stiff prickly hairs; rough and prickly, bristly.
= bristly, adj., bristling, n. literal and figurative.
Of hair, etc.: That rises or stands stiffly on end.
Of the hair of an animal: rough, bristly.
Of hair, feathers, etc.: = staring, adj. 4.