start

/ˈstärt/

Middle English sterten; akin to Middle High German sterzen to stand up stiffly, move quickly

verb

  1. to move suddenly and violently : spring

  2. to react with a sudden brief involuntary movement

  3. to issue with sudden force

started angrily to his feet

started when a shot rang out

begin commence start initiate inaugurate usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation. begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable. begin, opposed to end, is the most general. start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

noun

  1. a sudden involuntary bodily movement or reaction

  2. a brief and sudden action or movement

  3. a sudden capricious impulse or outburst

woke with a start

abbreviation

  1. strategic arms reduction talks