horrent

[prettygoodword]

horrent - adj., covered in bristles or bristling points, bristled; standing erect as bristles, bristling.


So, as if covered with bristles or acting like a bristle, got it? Dates from the 1660s, so it's yet another 17th centuryism. From Latin, present participle of horrēre, to tremble, bristle -- esp. in fear, hence also horror. Yes, horror is the feeling that causes your hair to stand on end.

---L.

Comments

[packbat.livejournal.com]

...and "abhorrent", similarly.

[pdlloyd.livejournal.com]

"Oh, my! I just saw the most horrent porcupine." *g*

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Bingo.

---L.

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

Right -- same Latin root.

---L.