startle

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English startlen, stertlen, stertyllen (“to rush, stumble along”), from Old English steartlian (“to kick with the foot, struggle, stumble”), equivalent to start +‎ -le. Cognate with Old Norse stirtla (“to hobble, stagger”), Icelandic stirtla (“to straighten up, erect”). Compare also Middle English stertil (“hasty”). More at start. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈstɑːt(ə)l/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈstɑɹt(ə)l/ Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)təl === Verb === startle (third-person singular simple present startles, present participle startling, simple past and past participle startled) (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, obsolete) To deter; to cause to deviate. ==== Synonyms ==== (to move suddenly): start (to excite suddenly): alarm, frighten, scare, surprise (deter): deter ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === startle (plural startles) A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger. ==== Derived terms ==== startle reflex startler startlish ==== Translations ==== === See also === skittish === Anagrams === Statler, rattles, Stalter, tatlers, Slatter, slatter, starlet, telstar