2. To move suddenly, as with a spring or leap, from surprise,
pain, or other sudden feeling or emotion, or by a
voluntary act.
And maketh him out of his sleep to start. --Chaucer.
I start as from some dreadful dream. --Dryden.
Keep your soul to the work when ready to start
aside. --I. Watts.
But if he start, It is the flesh of a corrupted
heart. --Shak.
3. To set out; to commence a course, as a race or journey; to
begin; as, to start business.
At once they start, advancing in a line. --Dryden.
At intervals some bird from out the brakes Starts
into voice a moment, then is still. --Byron.
4. To become somewhat displaced or loosened; as, a rivet or a
seam may start under strain or pressure.
{To start after}, to set out after; to follow; to pursue.
{To start against}, to act as a rival candidate against.
{To start for}, to be a candidate for, as an office.
{To start up}, to rise suddenly, as from a seat or couch; to
come suddenly into notice or importance.
{Starting bar} (Steam Eng.), a hand lever for working the
values in starting an engine.
{Starting hole}, a loophole; evasion. [Obs.]
{Starting point}, the point from which motion begins, or from
which anything starts.
{Starting post}, a post, stake, barrier, or place from which
competitors in a race start, or begin the race.