|
|
Definition of Startle
1. Noun. A sudden involuntary movement. "He awoke with a start"
Generic synonyms: Inborn Reflex, Innate Reflex, Instinctive Reflex, Physiological Reaction, Reflex, Reflex Action, Reflex Response, Unconditioned Reflex
Specialized synonyms: Startle Reaction, Startle Response, Moro Reflex, Startle Reflex, Flinch, Wince
Derivative terms: Jump, Jumpy, Start
2. Verb. To stimulate to action. "The good news will startle her"; "Galvanized into action"
Generic synonyms: Ball Over, Blow Out Of The Water, Floor, Shock, Take Aback
Derivative terms: Galvanisation, Galvaniser, Galvanization, Galvanizer
3. Verb. Move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm. "She startled when I walked into the room"
Generic synonyms: Move
Specialized synonyms: Shy, Boggle, Rear Back, Jackrabbit
Derivative terms: Jump, Start
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
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 ..."
Other Resources:
