Category:Startle

Star"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Startled; p. pr. & vb. n. Startling.] Etym: [freq. of start.]

Defn: to move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start. Why shrinks the soul back on herself, and startles at destruction Addison.

Startle Star"tle, v. t.

1. 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. Locke.

2. To deter; to cause to deviate. [r.] Clarendon.

Syn. -- to start; shock; fright; frighten; alarm.

Startle Star"tle, n.

Defn: a sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, Surprise, or apprehension of danger. After having recovered from my first startle, i was very well pleased With the accident. Spectator.