startle

English

/ˈstɑːt(ə)l/, /ˈstɑɹt(ə)l/

verb
Definitions
  • (intransitive) To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.
  • (transitive) To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
  • (transitive) To deter; to cause to deviate.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English startlen inherited from Old English steartlian (kick with the foot, struggle, stumble) suffix from English start.

Origin

English

start

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms