start

I. verb Etymology: Middle English sterten; akin to Middle High German sterzen to stand up stiffly, move quickly Date: 14th century intransitive verb 1. a. to move suddenly and violently ; spring <

started angrily to his feet

> b. to react with a sudden brief involuntary movement <

started when a shot rang out

> 2. a. to issue with sudden force <

blood starting from the wound

> b. to come into being, activity, or operation <

when does the movie start

> <

the rain started up again

> 3. to protrude or seem to protrude <

eyes starting from their sockets

> 4. to become loosened or forced out of place <

one of the planks has started

> 5. a. to begin a course or journey <

started toward the door

> <

just starting out

> b. to range from a specified initial point <

the rates start at $10

> 6. to begin an activity or undertaking; especially to begin work 7. to be a participant in a game or contest; especially to be in the starting lineup transitive verb 1. to cause to leave a place of concealment ; flush <

start a rabbit

> 2. archaic startle, alarm 3. to bring up for consideration or discussion 4. to bring into being <

start a rumor

> 5. to cause to become loosened or displaced 6. to begin the use of <

start a fresh loaf of bread

> 7. a. to cause to move, act, or operate <

start the motor

> b. to cause to enter a game or contest; especially to put in the starting lineup c. to care for or train during the early stages of growth and development <

started plants

> <

a well-started coonhound

> 8. to do or experience the first stages or actions of <

started studying music at the age of five

> Synonyms: see begin II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. a sudden involuntary bodily movement or reaction <

woke with a start

> b. a brief and sudden action or movement c. a sudden capricious impulse or outburst 2. a beginning of movement, activity, or development <

a false start

> <

housing starts

> 3. head start 4. a place of beginning 5. the act or an instance of being a competitor in a race or a member of a starting lineup in a game <

undefeated in six starts — Current Biography

>