startle
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Startle — Star tle (st[aum]r t l), v. t. 1. To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise. [1913 Webster] The supposition, at least, that angels do sometimes assume bodies need not… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Startle — Star tle, n. A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger. [1913 Webster] After having recovered from my first startle, I was very well pleased with the accident. Spectator. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Startle — Star tle (st[aum]r t l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Startled} (st[aum]r t ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Startling} (st[aum]r tl[i^]ng).] [Freq. of start.] To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start. [1913 Webster] Why shrinks the soul Back on… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
startle — c.1300, run to and fro, frequentative of sterten (see START (Cf. start)). Sense of move suddenly in surprise or fear first recorded 1520s. Trans. meaning frighten suddenly is from 1590s. The word retains more of the original meaning of START (Cf … Etymology dictionary
startle — *scare, alarm, terrify, terrorize, *frighten, fright, affray, affright Analogous words: *surprise, astonish, astound: rouse, arouse, *stir: electrify, *thrill state n State, condition, mode, situation, posture, status can all mean the way in… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
startle — [v] frighten, surprise affright, agitate, alarm, amaze, astonish, astound, awe, bolt, consternate, floor, fright, give a turn*, jump, make jump, rock, scare, scare to death*, shake up, shock, spook, spring, spring something on*, stagger, start,… … New thesaurus
startle — ► VERB ▪ cause to feel sudden shock or alarm. DERIVATIVES startled adjective. ORIGIN Old English, «kick, struggle»; related to START(Cf. ↑start) … English terms dictionary
startle — [stärt′ l] vt. startled, startling [ME stertlen, to rush, stumble along, freq. of sterten: see START] to surprise, frighten, or alarm suddenly or unexpectedly; esp., to cause to start, or move involuntarily, as from sudden fright vi. to be… … English World dictionary
startle — UK [ˈstɑː(r)t(ə)l] / US [ˈstɑrt(ə)l] verb [transitive] Word forms startle : present tense I/you/we/they startle he/she/it startles present participle startling past tense startled past participle startled to make a person or animal feel suddenly… … English dictionary
startle — [[t]stɑ͟ː(r)t(ə)l[/t]] startles, startling, startled VERB If something sudden and unexpected startles you, it surprises and frightens you slightly. [V n] The telephone startled him... [V n] Sorry, I didn t mean to startle you … English dictionary
