Search the Dictionary

nly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start. Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and startles at destruction Addison.

To startle from quiet; to alarm. Smale foules a great heap That had afrayed [affrayed] me out of my sleep. Chaucer.

to strike with amazement; to confound with wonder, surprise, or fear. These thoughts may startle well, but not astound The virtuous mind. Milton.

An exclamation used to startle or frighten. [Spelt also boh and boo.]

The act of looking out suddenly, as from behind a screen, so as to startle some one (as by children in play), or of looking out and drawing suddenly back, as if frightened. I for sorrow sung, That such a king should play bopeep, And go the fools among. Shak.

A transient glance; an unexpected view of something that startles one; a sudden fear. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Halliwell.

To surprise or astonish; to be startled or astonished. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

The act of falling or tumbling down; fall. [Obs.] "His ruin startled the other steeds." Chapman.

To cause to move suddenly; to disturb suddenly; to startle; to alarm; to rouse; to cause to flee or fly; as, the hounds started a fox. Upon malicious bravery dost thou come To start my quiet Shak. Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Cæsar. Shak.

Easily startled; apt to start; startish; skittish; -- said especially of a hourse. [Colloq.]

To vex; to annoy; to startle. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]