1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Start  \Start\,  v.  i.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {started};  p.  pr  &  vb  n. 
  {starting}.]  [OE.  sterten;  akin  to  D.  storten  8hurl,  rush, 
  fall,  G.  st["u]rzen,  OHG.  sturzen  to  turn  over  to  fall,  Sw 
  st["o]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.  [root]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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