Bristly

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈbɹɪsli/

Definitions

1. Having a surface or texture covered with stiff, sharp hairs or spines that stand out distinctly
2. Describing something that feels rough or prickly due to short, stiff hairs or small pointed projections
3. Characterized by a coarse, spiky covering that gives a harsh and prickling sensation when touched

Etymology: "Bristly" is a plain formation: the noun "bristle" with the adjective-forming suffix "-y" added to it. The base noun "bristle" comes from Old English "byrst," which was the word for the stiff hairs of an animal's coat, and the adjective built on it carries that same sense of coarse, upright hair. The Middle English form "bristli" shows the suffix at work in the same way it does in countless other English adjectives, turning a noun for a thing into a word for something that has that thing or resembles it. A "bristly" chin is one covered in stubble, and a "bristly" brush is one with stiff bristles. The word has remained close to its physical origins, so the sense of the base noun is still plainly visible in every use.

Synonyms: rough, thorny, spiky, prickly, hairy

Antonyms: smooth, soft, velvety, sleek, gentle