Sekirov Dictionary

startle

UK /ˈstɑːt(ə)l/US /ˈstɑɹt(ə)l/

verb 3
noun 1
forms 3
phrases 1

verb3

•
To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.
- Why shrinks the soul / Back on herself, and startles at destruction? — 1712
•
To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
- The supposition, at least, that angels do sometimes assume bodies need not startle us. — 1689
•
(no longer used) To deter; to cause to deviate.
- it would blast all their hopes, and startle all other princes from joining — 1660

noun1

A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.

forms

startled · startling · startles

Phrases with startle

startle up
To flush a target, usually birds and often accidentally.

This dictionary works without the internet: on your phone · in Chrome