startle
Meaning
-
- To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.
- To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
- (obsolete) To deter; to cause to deviate.
Synonyms
catch unawares
be afraid
give a start
scare away
take by surprise
be afraid of
being startled
St. Vitus’ dance
to take fright
cause to shudder
arrive unexpectedly
be alarmed
regain consciousness
sneak up on
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈstɑːt(ə)l/
Etymology
In summary
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.
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Notes
