catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Start \Start\, n.
     1. The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion,
        caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden
        motion, or beginning of motion.
  
              The fright awakened Arcite with a start. --Dryden.
  
     2. A convulsive motion, twitch, or spasm; a spasmodic effort.
  
              For she did speak in starts distractedly. --Shak.
  
              Nature does nothing by starts and leaps, or in a
              hurry.                                --L'Estrange.
  
     3. A sudden, unexpected movement; a sudden and capricious
        impulse; a sally; as, starts of fancy.
  
              To check the starts and sallies of the soul.
                                                    --Addison.
  
     4. The beginning, as of a journey or a course of action;
        first motion from a place; act of setting out; the outset;
        -- opposed to finish.
  
              The start of first performance is all. --Bacon.
  
              I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
              Straining upon the start.             --Shak.
  
     At a start, at once; in an instant. [Obs.]
  
              At a start he was betwixt them two.   --Chaucer.
  
     To get, or have, the start, to before another; to gain
        or have the advantage in a similar undertaking; -- usually
        with of. ``Get the start of the majestic world.'' --Shak.
        ``She might have forsaken him if he had not got the start
        of her.'' --Dryden.