Lexic.us

Definition of Startle

1. Verb. To stimulate to action. "The good news will startle her"; "Galvanized into action"

2. Noun. A sudden involuntary movement. "He awoke with a start"

3. Verb. Move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm. "She startled when I walked into the room"

Definition of Startle

1. v. t. To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.

2. v. t. To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.

3. n. A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.

Definition of Startle

1. Verb. To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start. ¹

2. Verb. To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise. ¹

3. Verb. To deter; to cause to deviate. ¹

4. Noun. A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Startle

1. to frighten or surprise suddenly [v -TLED, -TLING, -TLES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Startle

starting handle starting line starting motor starting pitcher starting pitchers starting point starting points starting post starting signal starting stalls

starting time starting up startingly startings startish startle (current term) startle reaction startle reflex startle response startled

startlement startlements startler startlers startles startling startlingly startlish startly starts

Literary usage of Startle

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. American Poets and Their Theology by Augustus Hopkins Strong (1916)
"He aimed to startle even here. His criticisms commanded attention indeed. Within a few months he increased the circulation of a magazine from five to ..."

2. American Poets and Their Theology by Augustus Hopkins Strong (1916)
"He aimed to startle even here. His criticisms commanded attention indeed. Within a few months he increased the circulation of a magazine from five to ..."

3. Ainsworth's Magazine: A Miscellany of Romance, General Literature, & Art by William Harrison Ainsworth, George Cruikshank, Hablot Knight Browne (1843)
"... which one als t£ from mortal ken and thou hast already seen enough of me not ow lh startle me with thoughts of ..."

4. An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language ...: To which is by John Jamieson (1880)
"tt. a/tip, faux, as in the form of the countenance denoted by this word, the chop» appear fallen. But as A. Bor. gloppen signifies to startle ..."

5. Appletons' Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events (1875)
"I think the number will startle. It will be up in the thousands. The city is perfectly quiet. No trouble is apprehended. I shall send you this evening a ..."

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