Start \Start\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {started}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{starting}.] [OE. sterten; akin to D. storten 8hurl, rush,
fall, G. st[81]rzen, OHG. sturzen to turn over, to fall, Sw.
st[94]ra to cast down, to fall, Dan. styrte, and probably
also to E. start a tail; the original sense being, perhaps,
to show the tail, to tumble over suddenly. [fb]166. Cf.
{Start} a tail.]
1. To leap; to jump. [Obs.]
2. To move suddenly, as with a spring or leap, from surprise,
pain, or other sudden feeling or emotion, or by a
voluntary act.
And maketh him out of his sleep to start. --Chaucer.
I start as from some dreadful dream. --Dryden.
Keep your soul to the work when ready to start
aside. --I. Watts.
But if he start, It is the flesh of a corrupted
heart. --Shak.
3. To set out; to commence a course, as a race or journey; to
begin; as, to start business.
At once they start, advancing in a line. --Dryden.
At intervals some bird from out the brakes Starts
into voice a moment, then is still. --Byron.
4. To become somewhat displaced or loosened; as, a rivet or a
seam may start under strain or pressure.
{To start after}, to set out after; to follow; to pursue.
{To start against}, to act as a rival candidate against.
{To start for}, to be a candidate for, as an office.
{To start up}, to rise suddenly, as from a seat or couch; to
come suddenly into notice or importance.
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