startn.1
/stɑːt/, U.S. /stɑrt/ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > rump and tail > [noun] > tail
taila800
starteOE
mugglec1275
rumpc1425
caude1572
stern1575
fud1710
flag1859
pole1864
stern-ornament1885
eOE Corpus Gloss. (1890) 29/1 Cauda, steort.
eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Otho) (2009) I. xxiii. 490 Ðære helle hund..on[gan] fægnian mid his steorte, and plegian wið hine.
lOE Distichs of Cato (Trin. Cambr.) lxxxi (homiletic commentary), in Anglia (1972) 90 16 He sæde..þæt sume wyrmas wæren & sume fiscas þe hæfden an heafod & monigne steort.
a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) 5 He [sc. the lion]..Draȝeð dust wið his stert.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2823 He..demden him to binden faste Vp-on an asse..His nose went unto þe stert.
1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 44 A Start: a long handle of any thing, a tail, as it signifies in low Dutch, so a Redstart is a Bird with a red tail. [Also in later dictionaries and glossaries.]]
a. The tail or steering-handle of a plough; = plough-start n. Obsolete.In quot. OE as part of a riddle (describing parts of a plough) using zoomorphic imagery.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > plough-tail or stilt
startOE
stiltc1340
plough-start1440
tail1466
plough handle?c1475
steer-tree1483
plough stilt?1523
plough-tail?1523
stilking?1523
steer1552
hale?1570
stive1693
plough-tree1799
by-tail1879
OE Riddle 21 4 Hlaford min woh færeð weard æt steorte, wrigaþ on wonge.., saweþ on swæð min.
a1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesworth (Arun.) (1857) 168 Le manuel e le tenoun, [glossed] the handele and the sterte.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 474 Stert, of a plowe (or plowstert, supra), stina [read stiua].
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement iii. f. lxvii Stert of a plow, queue de la chareue.
b. More generally: the handle of any of various implements or containers. Obsolete (chiefly English regional in later use).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > tool > parts of tools generally > [noun] > handle
handleeOE
helvec897
haftc1000
steal1377
start1380
handa1400
helmc1430
handlinga1450
pull1551
grasp1561
hilt1574
cronge1577
hold1578
tab1607
manubrium1609
tree1611
handfast1638
stock1695
handing1703
gripe1748
stem1796
handhold1797
grip1867
1380 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1836) I. 110 (MED) Lego..unum possenett cum stert, et unum rostyrne.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 474 Stert, of a handylle of a vessel, ansa.
1512 in Archaeologia 41 344 For..mending ye start of ye sanctus bell ix d.
1566 in E. Peacock Eng. Church Furnit. (1866) 33 Item one handbell broken the start of yt and sold to Johnne Chamberlaine and he haith made a morter thereof.
1657 R. Tomlinson tr. J. de Renou Pharmaceut. Shop i, in Medicinal Dispensatory sig. Ooo2 A Pottenger..where-unto a long start..is suffixed.
1677 W. Walker Βαπτισμων Διδαχή vi. 40 Leaves he no part of it [sc. a pot or cup] out? not so much as ear, start, or handle?
1824 W. Carr Horæ Momenta Cravenæ 19 I ax'd him to taste it, an see tacks up t' beesom start, potters yan down, an keps it i' my appron.
1859 W. Dickinson Gloss. Words & Phrases Cumberland 111 Start, the long handle of a wooden pail.
1862 C. C. Robinson Dial. Leeds & Neighbourhood 420 Start, the handle of a vessel. ‘Pot-start’.
1901 J. Earle Alfred Jewel v. 44 The Alfred Jewel is so made as to require a small stem or ‘stert’ for its fixture when in use.
1904 R. E. Cole in Eng. Dial. Dict. V. 735/1 [Lincolnshire] T'owd hen's peeked on the basket start.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > promontory, headland, or cape > [noun]
starteOE
nessOE
snookc1236
head1315
bill1382
foreland?a1400
capec1405
nook?a1425
mull1429
headland?c1475
point?c1475
nese1497
peak1548
promontory1548
arma1552
reach1562
butt1598
promontorea1600
horn1601
naze1605
promonta1607
bay1611
abutment1613
promontorium1621
noup1701
lingula1753
scaw1821
tang1822
odd1869
eOE Bounds (Sawyer 495) in W. de G. Birch Cartularium Saxonicum (1887) II. 541 Þæt fram ðam æsce andlang stræt betweox þa twegen leas on ða ealdan sealt stræt oð ðone steorte, fram þam steorte andlang þæs fulan broces oð bliðan.
OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.iv) anno 997 Her on þissum geare ferde se here abutan Defenanscire into Sefernmuðan, & þær hergodon ægþær ge on Cornwealum & on Norðwealum & on Defenum,..& æfter þæm wendon eft abutan Penwæðsteort [i.e. Land's End] on þa suðhealfe.
a1170 ( Bounds (Sawyer 639) in M. Gelling Place-names Berks. (1976) III. 715 Of þam hæfodæcere ut on þone steort, of þam steorte on þone yrnendan mor.
1330 in J. E. B. Gover & A. Mawer Place-names Devon (1931) I. 271 Gilbert atte Sturte.
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) III. 32 The Est Point of Saltcombe Haven is a great Foreland into the Se caullid the Sterte.
1584 R. Norman tr. C. Antoniszoon Safegard of Sailers f. 44v To the west northwestwards of the Sterte, sixe leagues, goeth in the sounde of Plimouth.
1588 A. Ashley tr. L. J. Wagenaer Mariners Mirror 3 But to enter the Goer,..set small sayle a long the shoare a while, vntill you are past the watchtower, shunning the point, least you strike on the start [Du. staert], or taile sand, that stretcheth downe from the landes.
a. The footstalk or pedicel of a fruit; the stem of a fruit. Cf. short-start n. at short adj., n., and adv. Compounds 6c. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > stem or stalk > [noun] > pedicel or footstalk
stalkc1325
starta1400
tinea1400
petifoot?1440
footling1562
footstalk1562
strig1565
stem1600
tail1613
pedicle1626
pedal1660
pedicel1682
peduncle1702
ray1729
stipes1760
stipe1785
flower-stalk1789
fruit-stalk1796
podium1866
a1400 Short Metrical Chron. (BL Add.) (1935) l. 1000 (MED) Dan Symon..gaderede frut..Þe stertes he pulled out euerichon & poison let þerinne don & sette alle þe stertes alle aȝen Þat þe gile scholde noȝt be sen.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 474 Stert, of an appull or oþer frute, pediculus.
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iv. l. 387 Or make a diche in long, and take a rynde As long as hit; in that the storte [c1450 Bodl. Add. stortes] do Of pomgarnat.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement iii. f. lxvii Stert of frute, queue de frvit.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique iii. l. 543 Choose the fairest sowre cherries..cutting off their starts at the halfe, and afterward boile them.
1672 tr. J. A. Comenius Orbis Sensualium Pictus (new ed.) xiv. 30 The Cherry hangeth by a long start [L. pediolo].
1796 ‘Juvenis’ Village Muse 33 The plumpy Cherry, deeply-blushing all, Turns her long start, and wooes the warming wall.
b. A stalk or branch of a plant. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > stem or stalk > [noun]
stealc700
stemc888
spirea1000
stalka1366
caulc1420
codd?1440
stalec1440
thighc1440
shank1513
pipe?1523
start?1523
spindle1577
leg1597
scape1601
haulm1623
caulicle1657
culm1657
thyrse1658
scapus1704
stemlet1838
stam1839
caulis1861
caulome1875
tige1900
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xiiv Dernolde groweth vp streyght lyke an hye grasse, and hath longe sedes on eyther syde the stert.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. lxiv. 93 The first Crowfoote..bringeth forth vpon each side of the leafe three or foure shorte startes or branches.
c. The shaft of a candlestick. Obsolete. rare.Perhaps simply an error for shaft; cf. ‘the main Trunk or Shaft’, ‘the Shaft or Trunk’, both of which occur nearby in the source quoted (within a discussion of the candelabrum described in Exodus 25).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > candle > support or holder for a candle > [noun] > candlestick > stem of
shank1577
steal1585
start1697
1697 S. Patrick Comm. Exod. (xxv. 36) 502 Here is nothing said of the foot of it [sc. the candlestick]... Nor doth he mention the length of the Start or Trunk.
a. A projecting stud or ornamental knob; a projecting point or spike, often found on a dagger, sword, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > [noun] > slender or pointed part
startc1400
pointel1613
cornicle1646
stylet1834
style1851
stylus1856
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > [noun] > a projecting part
hornc1275
outshooting1310
nosec1400
startc1400
spout1412
snouta1425
outbearingc1425
outstanding?c1425
relish1428
jeta1500
rising1525
shoulder1545
jutting1565
outshootc1565
prominence1578
forecast1580
projection1592
sprout1598
eye1600
shooting forth1601
lip1608
juttying1611
prominent?1611
eminence1615
butting1625
excursiona1626
elbow1626
protrusion1646
jettinga1652
outjetting1652
prominency1654
eminency1668
nouch1688
issuanta1690
out-butting1730
outjet1730
out-jutting1730
flange1735
nosing1773
process1775
jut1787
projecture1803
nozzle1804
saliency1831
ajutment1834
salience1837
out-thrust1842
emphasis1885
cleat1887
outjut1893
pseudopodiuma1902
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > body and parts > antler > branch
antlera1398
startc1400
tinec1480
branch1484
advancer1486
knag1578
speer1607
spire1607
snag1673
tang1688
point1780
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 171 Alle his vesture uerayly watz clene verdure..Þe steropes þat he stod on..& his aþel sturtes, Þat euer glemered & glent al of grene stones.
1536 in Dugdale's Monasticon Anglicanum (1718) III. 307/1 One other plain Sawcer gilt within, having two Sterts like unto Troyfoyls; of which Sterts one is broken off.
1594 I. G. tr. G. di Grassi True Arte Def. sig. F4v They have daggers of purpose, which beside their ordinarie hilts, haue also two long sterts of Iron, foure fingers length.
a1634 T. Gerard Particular Descr. Somerset (1900) 222 Ingotts of copper..rudely cast having on ye back side some 5 sterts or points, some fewer.
1640 F. Knight Relation Seaven Yeares Slaverie ii. 36 Oddabasshes followes them, having sterts of gold, halfe a yard long, and Palme broad, set on their heads.
1861 U.S. Patent 34,001 1/1 My improved mat is formed of a flat surface or base of india-rubber or gutta-percha, with vertical starts or projections independent of each other rising from and molded with or forming a part of the same.
1862 W. Barnes Tiw 271 Shank, the outshooting spur of a hill, or steart of a knife-blade.
1878 Trans. Newbury District Field Club 2 App. 255 Others [sc. spears] of various shapes and sizes..with a start or tang to fit into a handle.
b. An outgrowth or projecting point or spur of an animal structure; esp. a tine of a stag's antler. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 283 The second..shall seerue to cawterise the nares, without danger or hurt to the little stert that groweth vp in the midle of the nares.
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. i. at Pollard Beame is that whereon the starts of the head growes.
1658 E. Phillips New World Eng. Words at Torch-Royal The next start in a Stag's head growing above the Royal.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. at Brow-Antler The first Start that grows on the head of a Stag.
6. † b. A radial lever or shaft on a horizontal wheel forming part of a mechanism (esp. of a gin: see gin n.1 8b) to which an animal is yoked. Obsolete.
a. A rod, projecting from the rim of a waterwheel or scoop wheel, which supports a blade or bucket attached to the wheel. Cf. start post n. at Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > mills > [noun] > wheel used to drive mill > part of
start1547
shrouding1797
shrouding-plate1844
1547 in W. Cramond Rec. Elgin (1903) I. 90 He cuttit thwa startis to ane mylln quhyll.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Les rayeres d'un moulin à eau, the armes, or starts of the wheele of a water-mill.
1646 in R. Renwick Gleanings from Rec. Royal Burgh Peebles (1912) 256 To James Haldane, for furnishing for thrie flight of startis to the milnes wheelis.
1797 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 904/2 The bucket consists of a start AB, an arm BC, and a wrest CD, concentric with the rim.
1829 Nat. Philos. (Libr. Useful Knowl.) I. Mechanics i. v. 20 This bucket is formed of three planes; AB is in the direction of the radius of the wheel, and is called the start, or shoulder.
1847 Engineer & Machinist's Assistant 216/1 Some millwrights have endeavoured to lessen the evil experienced in the water being thrown out of the buckets by increasing the breadth of the starts.
1904 Traction & Transmission 10 339/1 A view of the works as remodelled by Smeaton..shows the wheel with the floats carried by starts in the more modern manner.
1983 T. S. Reynolds Stronger than Hundred Men i. 10 (caption) Starts or supports, pieces of wood or metal projecting from the rims to which the floatboards or blades are secured.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > mills > [noun] > horse- or walk-mill > shaft or lever of
start1765
1765 London Mag. Jan. 40/2 Two starts each 24 feet long wherein are fixed two iron bolts..which bolts, the horses are yoaked to.
1812 J. Sinclair Acct. Syst. Husbandry Scotl. i. 75 A piece of wood was fixed to the beam, or what is commonly called the start of the mill, and the oxen were yoked to it by chains.
1849 J. Glynn Rudimentary Treat. Constr. Cranes 14 The horse track should not be less than seven or eight yards in diameter, so that the horse may..get a fair pull on the ‘starts’.
1920 A. H. Fay Gloss. Mining & Mineral Industry 645/2 Start, a lever for working a gin to which a horse is attached.
Compounds
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > [noun] > broad, shallow vessel or pan > specific
stander1459
start pan1459
basin-pan1462
fire pan1558
tin pan1806
1459 in Archaeologia (1827) 21 275 (MED) Item, j lytyll Stert Panne of sylver.
start post n. a rod, projecting from the rim of a scoop wheel, which supports a bucket attached to the wheel; cf. sense 6a.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > lifting or hoisting equipment > [noun] > for raising water > parts of
tumbril?c1475
sucker1686
well-pole1727
gabbards1808
start post1870
1870 Engineering 25 Mar. 194/1 The start-posts are curved to the shape of the floats, and the curved floats are bolted to the starts as easily as straight floats would be.
1912 Louisiana Planter & Sugar Manufacturer 31 Aug. 141/2 We must deduct from the above volume..the displacement of the combined scoops or paddle boards, and their respective arms, or start posts, as they are sometimes called.
1996 R. L. Hills Power from Wind (rev. ed.) vi. 160 Surviving wheels [sc. scoopwheels] have cast iron frames. Smaller ones had a single frame and a single start post to which the ladle boards were nailed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
startn.2
/stɑːt/, U.S. /stɑrt/α. Middle English–1500s stert, Middle English–1500s sterte, Middle English–1600s starte, Middle English– start, 1500s startte, 1600s strait (Scottish), 1800s staa't (English regional (Leicestershire)), 1800s stert (English regional), 1900s stat (English regional (Yorkshire)), 1900s steart (English regional (southern)), 1900s– stairt (Scottish); N.E.D. (1914) also records a form late Middle English stertte.
β. Middle English stirt, Middle English stirte, Middle English sturt, Middle English–1500s styrt, Middle English–1500s styrte.
1. † b. A (long or short) distance. Obsolete.
a. A short space of time, a moment. Chiefly Scottish in later use.Sometimes in the adverbial phrase a start: for a moment, for a short time (cf. a while at while n. 1c). Cf. also at a start at Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > a short or moderate space of time
weekeOE
littleOE
roomOE
stoundOE
startc1300
houra1350
furlong wayc1384
piecea1400
weea1400
speed whilec1400
hanlawhilea1500
snack1513
spirt?1550
snatch1563
fit1583
spurta1591
shortness1598
span1599
bit1653
thinking time1668
thinking-while1668
onwardling1674
way-bit1674
whilie1819
fillip1880
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 1873 (MED) Huwe rauen þat dine herde..And grop an ore..And cham þer on a litel stert.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 14298 Iesus biheld hir a stert, And had gret reuthe at his hert.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 894 (MED) In þat place duelt cuthbert With religiouse men a stert.
c1475 Erthe upon Erthe (Brogyntyn) (1911) 24 (MED) Man, amende þe betyme; þi lyfe ys but a starte.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 500 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 110 Was nane so sture in ye steid micht stand him a start.
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1710) I. 93 An old Manor Place, wher in tymes paste sum of the Moulbrays lay for a starte.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 895 This wickit warld is bot ane start.
?a1600 (a1500) Sc. Troy Bk. (Cambr.) l. 64 in C. Horstmann Barbour's Legendensammlung (1882) II. 219 All wrath ande angry ine hys hert Stude studeande a litill stert.
1620 E. Blount in T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Hist. Don Quixote Ep. Ded. His study being to sweeten those short starts of your retirement from publique affaires.
a1699 J. Kirkton Secret & True Hist. Church Scotl. (1817) v. 156 According to the countrey woman's prediction, thither he never returned, except for one stolen start.
1750 Grand Mag. Sept. 133/2 By it's specious grave countenance, and mimic actions, it [sc. the Ape] so far becomes ambiguous, as to render the mind for a start doubtful, whether to rank it with man, or beast.
1768 Session Papers in Sc. National Dict. (1974) IX. 9/3 He served as herd to Hugh Rose for half a year, and a start in harvest at another time.
1878 Shamrock 26 Jan. 259/2 Och, it makes me blush for my humanity, and for a start I will be ashamed to look a bruit baist in the face.
1899 J. Spence Shetland Folk-lore 239 Du'll better lay dee doon a peerie start.
1921 Green & Gold No. 2. 89/2 She stood listenin' to him for a start an' thin in she skelped to the library.
1958 New Shetlander No. 46 18 I maks oot owre for da bus ta linn me a start afore we sood laeve.
1987 A. Fenton in New Writing Scotl. 5 79 Fin we wis gettin 't riggit 'ere wis some pipe missin', aye, the exhaust, ye ken, an' for a start we wis like tae be smored.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [noun] > a distance
strikec1330
spacea1382
lengtha1500
starta1552
a good (also great, little, long, etc.) ways1568
a ways1858
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) III. 35 First I markid a litle start above the Haven Mouth on the West side of it a Creeke caullid Stoken Teigne Hed.
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) iv. v. sig. G.jv In deede he dwelleth hence a good stert I confesse.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues (new ed.) To Rdrs. sig. ¶iij Secondly being a great start from Athens to England, he thought to stay for the aduantage of a Leape yeare.
2. † c. figurative and in figurative contexts. A shifting of position; a deviation; a digression. Obsolete.† d. A sudden acceleration or surge in the progress, growth, or development of something; a boost or stimulus to activity, operation, etc. Obsolete.
a. A sudden brief effort or burst of movement. In early use also: †a leap, a rush (obsolete). Cf. sense 5a and also Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > [noun]
braid1297
startc1330
abraid1570
bolt1577
quirka1616
sprunt1660
shunting1775
flick1866
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > a leap, spring, or jump
leapOE
startc1330
saulta1350
lope14..
launchc1440
sprenting?a1475
loup1487
springa1500
stenda1500
benda1522
sprenta1522
bounce1523
jump1552
sally1589
rise1600
bound1667
vault1728
sprinta1800
spang1817
spend1825
upleap1876
sprit1880
bunny hop1950
bunny-hop1969
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [noun] > sudden > a sudden dart
startc1330
gird1545
whip1550
shoota1596
whippeta1603
snap1631
jet1647
flirt1666
whid1719
dart1721
spout1787
with a thrash1870
sprit1880
divea1897
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > leaping or springing suddenly > a sudden leap or spring
startc1330
upstart1645
sprunt1660
spank1882
c1330 Otuel (Auch.) (1882) l. 1411 Roulond..tok a spere out of his hond, & made his hors make a sturt.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 476 Styrte, or skyppe, saltus.
a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6699 Vnto hir chaunber sone he made a stert, And curtesly of hir his leve he toke.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 276/2 Styrt a lepe, course.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 71 Much like unto the sudden braids, starts and runnings to and fro of little children.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 10 A Wood-Louse..has a swift motion, and runs by starts or stages.
1707 tr. M.-C. d'Aulnoy Diverting Wks. 638 The skittish Beast being affrighted..gave two Starts and threw the Prince to the Ground.
1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. i. 17 The animals move with the narrow apex forwards, by the aid of their vibratory ciliæ, and generally by rapid starts.
1894 A. Machen Great God Pan (1895) 168 He turned away, and for a moment stood sick and trembling, and then with a start he leapt across the room.
1903 E. R. Young Algonquin Indian Tales v. 61 At length, with a sudden start, both dogs..dashed off ahead.
1994 P. da Costa Tutor xiii. 228 Rosie glanced towards..the bowl with the oil in. Not quite sure what to do, she made a start towards it.
b. A sudden or precipitate journey, esp. a departure; a flight. In early use sometimes without implication of haste: †a journey, a trip (obsolete). Now only historical (with capital initial) as a name for the flight from Perth of Charles II in search of Royalist support in 1650.The use with reference to Charles II has sometimes been traced to quot. 1651 (cf. the repetition of ‘ill-advised’ in quot. 1829).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > sudden
start1534
1534 N. Udall Floures for Latine Spekynge gathered oute of Terence f. 90 I wol ronne or, make a sterte frome hens into the streete.
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes (new ed.) f. 93v The secret startes and metinges then were knowne, Of Troyan traitours tending to this end.
1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 77/1 in Chron. I Certaine Kernes, who vnder the leading of an other Donald, the sonne of the former Donald, made stertes now and then into Argile and Cantyre.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 138 Seldome go they into the countrie... But if haply after long time they make a start [printed cast; corrected in Errata] thither, they [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. vii. 198 Wer't not a shame, that..The fearfull French..Should make a start ore-seas, and vanquish you? View more context for this quotation
1651 R. Baillie Let. 2 Jan. (1842) III. 117 The King..did willinglie returne, exceedinglie confounded and dejected for that ill-advysed start.
1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. xiii. 307 It was indeed a very empty and unprepared design,..and might well have ruin'd the King. It was afterwards called the Start.
1800 M. Laing Hist. Scotl. I. 419 This incident was termed the Start.
1829 J. Aikman in tr. G. Buchanan Hist. Scotl. (new ed.) IV. xiv. 405 [The king] threw himself down despondingly upon an old bolster..to ruminate upon the probable consequences of his ill advised start. [Note] The name by which this incident is usually known in Scottish history.
1857 J. E. Alexander Passages in Life of Soldier II. ix. 279 One day the General gave them a lecture and threatened to confine them to barracks, when suddenly a large number took a start from the ranks, and jumping the barrack wall disappeared.
1894 S. R. Gardiner Hist. Commonw. I. 376 Such was Charles's escapade, to which Scottish writers give the name of ‘The Start’.
1903 A. Lang Valet's Trag. viii. 246 A freakish escapade, like ‘The Start’ of Charles himself as a lad, when he ran away from Argyll and the Covenanters.
2000 J. L. Roberts Clan, King & Covenant viii. 115 He suddenly fled Perth on 4 October 1650 in the farcical incident known as the ‘Start’.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > discursiveness or digression > a digression
sojournc1330
digressionc1374
adigression1483
start1534
interposition1553
vagary1572
excursion1574
excourse1579
parecbasis1584
parenthesis1594
transversal1612
evagation1618
passage1625
far-about1639
excurrency1650
deviation1665
parathesis1668
alieniloquy1727
side-slip1843
excursus1845
1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Tullyes Offyces i. sig. B.2 For all the laude of vertue standeth in effectuall exercyse, fro the whiche not withstandynge a sterte or pause [L. intermissio] maye be made.
1570 T. Browne tr. J. Sturm Ritch Storehouse f. 36 I doe not onely permit you to make an orderly passage from Tullie to Demosthenes: but also I councell and wishe you, betwixt times, to make startes from the one to the other.
1576 A. Fleming tr. J. Caius Of Eng. Dogges 37 A starte to outlandishe Dogges in this conclusion, not impertinent to the Authors purpose.
1659 P. Heylyn Examen Historicum i. 173 I must make a start to fol. 91 for rectifying a mistake of our Authors.
1682 N. Tate Ingratitude of Common-wealth Ep. Ded. sig. A3 Pardon my Lord this Start, for the Subject is scarce to be thought on without Transport.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > [noun] > increasing rate of movement or progress > short or sudden spell of
start1604
flash1706
spurt1787
burst1824
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. vii. 166 How much I had to doe to calme his rage, Now feare I this will giue it start againe. View more context for this quotation
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iii. iii. 265 This, it seems, principally gave start to this Opinion touching the like Origination of Mankind and greater Animals by a natural spontaneous production.
1725 Plain Dealer 11 Jan. The First remarkable Start, in the Enlargement of the English Traffick, was made in the Reign of our High-spirited Queen Elizabeth.
1773 A. Stocker & T. Wharton Let. 6 Aug. in Commerce of Rhode Island (1914) I. 449 Flour lately took a start from 18/3 to 19/6 occasiond partly by some imprudent people purchasing, and the Mills wanting water.
1800 J. Murdock Beau Metamorphized p. vi I..observed that if the two [plays] were played in concert, there was no doubt but in all human probability they would have an overflowing house, and it would give a start to the sale of my first piece.
1803 T. R. Malthus Ess. Princ. Population (new ed.) ii. i. 184 The population of Norway..has made a start within the last ten or fifteen years.
1816 Christian Observer Dec. 790/1 The start given to public industry, by the pressure of want, may sometimes overpass the demands of an existing population.
1837 Genesee (Rochester, N.Y.) Farmer 25 Mar. 91/3 Turn your furrow from the plant and replace it again as you come down the row; this will pulverize the soil and give start to the plant.
1897 Jrnl. Morphol. 13 269 In dish B, where the temperature was raised 17° in ten minutes, the eggs took a sudden start and developed twice as quickly as those in the cold water.
1917 Sat. Evening Post 29 Sept. 19/2 With the beginning of the war, industry took such a start in this country that all considerations except that of finding men had to be forgotten.
1921 Commerc. & Financial Chron. 13 Aug. 713/1 Sterling exchange took a start upward and did not stop until it had covered over 12 points.
3. A sudden involuntary movement of the body, occasioned by surprise, terror, joy, or grief, or the recollection of something forgotten; a sudden feeling of shock, discomposure, etc., occasioned by such an emotion, regardless of whether accompanied by actual movement; a jolt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > [noun] > involuntary, caused by emotion
startc1330
startling1572
sursault1598
jump1879
startle response1933
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > [noun] > feeling of surprise
startc1330
sit-up1483
glopa1500
stonishment1594
startle1603
surprisal1652
surprise1686
shock1705
turn1845
jolt1884
c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 9891 He..fel adoun wel dreri; Cleodalis þo vp made astert As he nere nouȝt yhert.
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) v. l. 254 And ther-with-al his body sholde sterte And wiþ þe stert al sodeynlych a-wake.
1510 R. Copland tr. Kynge Appolyn of Thyre xiii. sig. C.v Whan Archycastres herde the voyce of her fader as she had wakened out of her slepe she gaue a sterte.
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. Biij Which soden smart, although but small, yet made me giue a start.
1581 T. Lupton Persuasion from Papistrie 293 The other with a starte, sayde Lorde haue mercie vppon me: wyth that Mawlden turned and sayd, what aylest thou Iohn?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. iv. 62 O, these flawes and starts..would well become A womans story. View more context for this quotation
1690 C. Mather Speedy Repentance 12 Sometimes he would give a start as he lay, and being asked the Reason of it, he said, O I have a great work to do! and but a little time to do it!
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 109. ⁋2 I imagine the start of attention awakened.
1788 F. Burney Diary 29 Nov. (1842) IV. 345 Mr Fairly had the malice to give me a start I little expected from him.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality x, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 240 What for did ye come creeping to your ain house as if ye had been an unco body, to gi'e poor auld Ailie sic a start?
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. iv. 33 He gave a start of astonishment, and stood still.
1871 P. Gillmore Hunter's Adventures viii. 169 A cedar-bird..gave me such a start as to send my heart into my mouth.
1902 R. Bagot Donna Diana xvi. 196 One or two old men were dozing upon their chairs, waking up every now and then with a start.
1925 Woman's World (Chicago) Apr. 63/1 When I found thee, thy leg was crumpled up under thee like a jackknife. Thee gave me a start, child.
1964 I. Wallace Man (1965) vi. 511 With a start, Nat Abrahams became aware of Wanda's presence behind him.
2010 J. O'Connor Ghost Light (2011) ii. 31 Lumme, Miss O'Neill. Didn't half give me a start.
4.
a. An advantage or lead gained by starting first in a race or on a journey; (in wider sense) the state of being ahead of other competitors, whether achieved at the beginning or in the course of a race, etc. More generally: a position in advance of others in any competitive undertaking.Only as object of get, gain, give, or have. Earliest in to get the start of at Phrases 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being better or superior > [noun]
advantagea1393
prioritya1425
prerogativec1425
prestance1470
betterness1492
superioritya1500
majority1552
start1569
melioritya1586
precedence1587
superiorship1587
precedency1593
priory1600
preferency1602
preference1603
precession1613
betterhood1615
prestancy1615
eminence1702
superiorness1730
the world > action or operation > advantage > [noun] > an advantage, benefit, or favourable circumstance > advantageous position over others
start1569
head start1881
the catbird seat1942
1569 N. Haward tr. Seneca Line of Liberalitie ii. xxv. f. 74v He that is appointed to runne for a wager, muste watche diligentlie to get the start of hys fellowe [L. opperiri debere tempus suum].
1596 J. Norden Preparatiue to Speculum Britanniæ 21 The ouer-much emulation..whereby they strugling to gaine the start one of another in fame, discouer more imperfections of the minde..then they gaine credite among the discreete by their greatest vauntes.
1619 A. Gorges tr. F. Bacon Wisedome Ancients xxv. 116 The race is begunne, and Atalanta gets a good start before him.
1677 F. A. tr. S. Ford Fall & Funeral Northampton 7 The fearful Hare, thus, having gain'd the start Of th' eager Hound, in every part, For shelter, to some Covert, swift doth bear.
1777 J. Burgoyne Let. 19 May in Parl. Reg. 1775–80 (1779) XI. 473 If I can by manoeuvre lead the enemy to suspect..my views are pointed that way,..I may gain a start that may much expedite and facilitate my progress to Albany.
1808 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) II. 309 I have got start enough with Ballantyne to lay the Debates aside, and take a spell at Abella's documents.
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 258 Ngouta and the Ajumba used to sit down..and I also, for a few minutes,..and then I would go on alone, thus getting a good start.
1923 Amer. Flint Mar. 35/1 [He] wanted to get on a street car that had quite a start on him, so he tried to stop it by yelling.
1984 P. Chaplin Unforgotten (1988) xiv. 121 Victoria was used to unreasonable persons. Life with her mother had given her a good start.
2010 Daily Tel. (Austral.) (Nexis) 6 Sept. 25 Your Government couldn't win the election if you were the only entry in a one horse race and were given a start.
b. With words indicating the extent of the advantage in terms of time or distance; in later use chiefly with these words in genitive, or (later) as premodifier, as ten minutes start, ten yards start.
ΚΠ
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. i. viii. §2. 131 Hauing withall the start of 130. yeares, to raise themselues without controlement.
1658 J. Davies tr. H. D'Urfé Astrea III. 419 I..thought that Palemon had only got a minutes start of me.
1706 Rev. State Eng. Nation 12 Sept. 435/1 If Prince Eugene was in full March for Piemont, if he had gain'd 2 Days start of the Duke of Orleans, how then should they fight.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 115 Having..about 300 Yards the Start of the Lion.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. i. 6 Our Men had the start of him half a League.
1781 London Gaz. No. 12182/4 I am not without Hopes, that..notwithstanding they had Two Days Start of him, he will overtake them before they get the Length of the Chesapeak.
1813 C. Cuthbertson Adelaide V. xvii. 321 The party destined for Mordaunt Priory, were to have one day's start of Montagu and Adelaide.
1834 Sporting Mag. Mar. 375/1 When the headmost horsemen emerged from the park the hounds had got half a mile start.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay v. 81 The hopelessness of the search in the face of nearly twenty-four hours' start.
1905 Baroness Orczy Scarlet Pimpernel (1906) xxiii. 222 He has not landed yet..we have an hour's start of him.
1969 G. Friel Grace & Miss Partridge vi. 90 The boys gave the girls three minutes start to run off and hide.
1986 R. Sproat Stunning the Punters 174 I couldn't really rate my chances very high against three big strong boys with maybe twenty years' start on me.
2002 M. J. Staples Sons & Daughters xxi. 240 Come on, race you and Paula over a hundred-yard sprint. Give you both ten yards start.
5. A sudden brief episode or burst of something.† b. A fit or outburst of passion, grief, joy, madness, etc.; an outburst, sally, or flight of wit, humour, or fancy. Obsolete.Frequently in by starts at Phrases 2a, which may imply earlier currency of this sense (see note at that sense on the uncertain analysis of early examples).
a. An act of starting into activity; a sudden brief effort or display of energy. Now rare.Sometimes hard to distinguish from sense 3 or from sense 2a.by starts: see Phrases 2a. by fits and starts: see fit n.2 4c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > sudden
start1581
sally1605
startup1845
1581 J. Baker Lect. vpon xii. Articles Christian Faith ix. sig. S.vi Wee..set foorth his praise, either neuer a whit, or els so negligently and by such startes, as wee declare, wee haue no great loue and care thereunto.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 290 Such vnconstant starts are we like to haue from him, as this of Kents banishment. View more context for this quotation
1671 R. Bohun Disc. Wind 54 They [sc. Winds] blow not in one constant fluor, or streame, but in gusts, that have their starts and intervals, intermitting like our pulse.
1750 R. Morris Rural Archit. Introd. sig. B3v The Starts and Sallies of an unrestricted Genius may inadvertently lose Sight of Nature.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess i. 15 A gentleman of broken means..but given to starts and bursts Of revel.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 205 He continued to the very last to show, by occasional starts and struggles, his impatience of the French yoke.
1892 G. Fleming tr. L. G. Neumann Treat. Parasites & Parasitic Dis. Domesticated Animals ii. ii. 483 Diminution of appetite, emaciation, indifference, somnolency with sudden starts of wakefulness, and diarrhoea.
1932 Weird Tales May 601/1 I must have drowsed again and again, with starts of semi-wakefulness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > [noun] > sudden outburst or access of passion
heatc1200
gerec1369
accessc1384
braida1450
guerie1542
bursting1552
ruff1567
riot1575
suddentyc1575
pathaire1592
flaw1596
blaze1597
start1598
passion1599
firework1601
storm1602
estuation1605
gare1606
accession?1608
vehemency1612
boutade1614
flush1614
escapea1616
egression1651
ebullition1655
ebulliency1667
flushinga1680
ecstasy1695
gusta1704
gush1720
vehemence1741
burst1751
overboiling1767
explosion1769
outflaming1836
passion fit1842
outfly1877
Vesuvius1886
outflame1889
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. ii. 125 Thou that art like enough through..the start of spleene, To fight against me. View more context for this quotation
1633 Match at Mid-night iii. sig. F He lookes..like one that could retract himselfe from his mad starts.
a1652 R. Brome Queen & Concubine i. iii. 7 in Five New Playes (1659) This is one of his un-to-be-examin'd hastie Humours, one of his starts.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables cclxiii. 230 There are several Starts of Fancy, that Off-hand look well enough; but [etc.].
1713 J. Addison in Guardian 9 July 1/2 We were well enough pleased with this Start of Thought.
1772 F. Burney Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1988) I. 182 In defiance of the gloom his misfortunes have cast over him, some starts of his former, his native vivacity break out.
1790 W. Cowper In Mem. J. Thornton 41 Such was thy Charity; no sudden start, After long sleep of passion in the heart, But steadfast principle.
1802 H. Martin Helen of Glenross II. 134 Did you then know your sister liable to occasional starts of the infirmity that afterwards became rooted and declared incurable?
1823 J. Simpson Ricardo the Outlaw II. 29 It was not a start of momentary passion, but an oath calmly, and deliberately taken.
1846 Ld. Campbell Lives Chancellors V. cxxxviii. 178 From occasional starts of application, he made much more progress than dull plodders who pore constantly over the ‘Year Books’.
c. A sudden brief burst or episode of sound, speech, utterance, etc. Now rare.In later use only as influenced by sense 3, denoting a shocked exclamation, cry, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > thing heard > [noun] > sound > burst of sound
starta1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. ii. 21 Me thought her eyes had lost her tongue, For she did speake in starts distractedly. View more context for this quotation
1816 L. Hunt Story of Rimini i. 103 Another start of trumpets, with reply.
1878 R. W. Gilder Poet & Master 57 Where he might listen to the starts and thrills Of birds that sang and rustled in the trees.
1908 Irish Monthly Mar. 155 He opened his mouth to speak, and his voice came with such a choking, inarticulate start of sound that he stopped and swallowed.
2006 D. Baker Dolled Up for Murder xx. 191 When Gretchen opened the bedroom door, she gave a loud start. ‘You scared me, Nina,’ she said.
6.
a. The action or an act of starting to move, originally at the beginning of a race, later of any journey.false start: see false adj. 6b. standing start: see standing start n. at standing adj. and n.2 Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > (a) starting operation
onset1561
start1589
outsettinga1698
offset1791
startup1892
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. iii. 57 One [runner] giueth the start speedely & perhaps before he come half way to th'other goale, decayeth his pace, as a man weary & fainting.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vi. viii. 43 Beeing mounted vppon his Horse, and beeing readie for the starte.
1801 Bell's Weekly Messenger 17 May 160/1 A frigate and corvette were lying in Camaret Bay ready for a start, waiting only a favourable opportunity.
1811 Sporting Mag. 38 109 A great number of genteel folks attended the start.
1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 63 There is nothing in life, like making a good start.
1901 F. S. Roberts 41 Years in India II. lxi. 348 By four o'clock tents had been struck, baggage loaded up, and everything was ready for a start.
1978 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 17 Aug. Between the time the blue flag came down, and the red flag and the horn signalled the start of the race, the wind had died.
2001 J. Biggar & C. Biggar Andes 51/1 The walk could quite easily be done in two days, though this would require an early start and late finish.
b. The starting point of a race, journey, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > starting-point of a journey
start1610
jumping-off ground1897
jumping-off spot1909
jumping-off board1914
1610 J. Healey tr. J. L. Vives in tr. St. Augustine Citie of God ii. vi. 60 In the courses amongst the Grecians, there were some where it was not sufficient to run vnto the marke, but they must runne backe againe to the start [L. unde venerant].
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxiii. 655 All rankt, Achilles show'd The race-scope. From the start, they glid.
1766 H. S. J. Giral del Pino New Spanish Gram. 363 Hè corrido tres veces desde las barréras hasta el árbol. I have run three times from the start to the tree.
1838 Sportsman Jan. 45/2 The start was fixed 100 yards from Stanwardine Hall.
1881 in J. Hatton's New Ceylon vi. 166 From the morning's start, the rapids, we only covered six miles.
1915 Princeton Alumni Weekly 21 Apr. 682/3 As they paddled up to the start, it was evident that they were better boated than the Freshmen.
1959 N. Pevsner Yorkshire: W. Riding (Buildings of Eng.) 185 It is worth while to walk along the main W–E streets towards the racecourse... The start is at the corner of St Sepulchre Gate.
2004 D. Simon Digital Photogr. Bible ix. 167 Photographers..can benefit more from being at the race's start, particularly if it affords them a head-on view of the athletes.
c. A signal marking the beginning of a race or other contest.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > starting signal
startc1612
starting1827
flag1856
red flag1893
gun1900
c1612 in E. Baldwin et al. Rec. Early Eng. Drama: Cheshire (2007) I. 375 Lastlie for givinge of the starte, either Master Sheriffes for the time beinge, or whome Master Maior will appointe.
1666 G. Oldisworth Race set before Us 28 The start is given, and running we are, but God is he who betteth the greatest stake.
1830 Sporting Mag. Sept. 358/2 Anxiety was kept at the highest, till the trumpet sounded the start, as to what horse would be pulled out.
1891 N. Gould Double Event xvii. 123 The six starters were now at the post, and at the second attempt Mr. Watson let the flag go to one of his best starts.
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 65/1 [In the Tug-of-War] The start shall be by word of mouth.
1921 B. Meyer Skating 159 The start is given by the words ‘Ready! Go!’ etc... When ‘Go!’ is said, or the shot fired, the start is valid.
1994 Snow Country Oct. 64 A red flag dropped and an official sounded the start, clanging an iron rod against a logger's circular saw blade.
d. Sport (originally U.S.). A race, game, or contest in which a particular competitor, horse, etc., starts or (more generally) takes part.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > start
start1845
off1896
flag-fall1899
getaway1912
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun]
match1531
bonspiel1560
prize1565
main1589
traverse1599
seta1626
tournament1762
fixture1825
tourney1890
roundup1912
rodeo1927
go-around1933
start1949
1845 Morning Post 24 Dec. 5/6 We find him [sc. a racehorse] with a blank in eleven performances, which his son Euclid shames by having two out of his five starts to his credit.
1887 Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisconsin) 4 Sept. He was started twenty-four times in the season of '96, and in most of his starts finished along between 2:12 and 2:16.
1907 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 5 Mar. 9/4 Jockey Worthington, the game fighter who has in his previous starts in Oakland, proven that he is one that it will not pay to be careless with.
1949 Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch 10 Oct. 13/2 The Rebels, in gaining their third win in four league starts..won it as convincingly as the score would indicate.
1975 Sunday Tel. (Sydney) 6 Apr. 48 Born Star, a two-year-old, yesterday outclassed the field at Sandown in his first start on a rain-affected track.
2000 N.Y. Times 30 Oct. d9/2 Eddie Lopat, a junk-ball left-hander, wins both his starts and is touched for just 2 runs in 18 innings.
2014 West Austral. (Perth) (Nexis) 19 Dec. (Racing section) 3 Ritehererightnow..was a very good winner two starts ago before not being able to get into the race last start.
7.
a. The beginning of a career, course of action, series of events, etc.; the action or fact of beginning something; commencement, outset.In early use sometimes with explicit figurative reference to sense 6a.Frequently in fresh start: a new beginning in an activity; an opportunity to begin again, especially under favourable circumstances or without prejudice (cf. also use in sense 8b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > [noun]
ordeOE
thresholdeOE
frumthc950
anginOE
frumeOE
worthOE
beginninga1225
springc1225
springc1225
commencementc1250
ginninga1300
comsingc1325
entryc1330
aginning1340
alphac1384
incomea1400
formec1400
ingressc1420
birtha1425
principlea1449
comsementa1450
resultancec1450
inition1463
inceptiona1483
entering1526
originala1529
inchoation1530
opening1531
starting1541
principium1550
entrance1553
onset1561
rise1589
begin1590
ingate1591
overture1595
budding1601
initiationa1607
starting off1616
dawninga1631
dawn1633
impriminga1639
start1644
fall1647
initial1656
outset1664
outsettinga1698
going off1714
offsetting1782
offset1791
commence1794
aurora1806
incipiency1817
set-out1821
set-in1826
throw-off1828
go-off1830
outstart1844
start1857
incipience1864
oncome1865
kick-off1875
off-go1886
off1896
get-go1960
lift-off1967
1644 R. Vines Magnalia Dei ab Aquilone 4 Though truth may lose ground at the start, yet it ever wins at last.
1693 H. Prideaux Lett. (1875) 165 We have a young nobleman of our countey that now makes his first start in London.
1714 W. L. Congratulation J. Forster (single sheet) Now Sir, give the Willing Muse Leave to make a Start in Congratulation of your Reception of the Post of Lord Chief-Justice of the Common Pleas.
1791 H. Man Hist. Sir Geoffry Restless II. xxiii. 19 It so happens with persons of a restless disposition, that they never feel any gleams of comfort, but upon the first start of a fresh scheme.
1839 J. C. Calhoun Wks. (1874) III. 399 My aim is fixed, to take a fresh start, a new departure on the States Rights Republican tack.
1876 Trans. Med. Soc. State of Pennsylvania 11 168 During the start of the present epidemic, all the cases during the first week or two were confined to one locality.
1911 G. P. Gooch Hist. our Times x. 234 Women have voted in County Council elections from the start.
1950 Life 16 Oct. 10 (advt.) Always the right answer—when you need time out to relax and get a fresh start!
1966 Listener 27 Jan. 131/1 At the start of his career an actor can..gain acceptance from the critics.
1980 R. A. Potash Army & Politics in Argentina 285 Frondizi had tried to persuade the lame-duck Aramburu government to resolve the disputes, partly to give a quick start to his own economic program.
1990 J. Sutherland Mrs Humphry Ward iv. 46 As apprentice work the 1869 stories represented a very hopeful start in the novel-writing line.
2003 S. Mackay Heligoland (2004) iii. 35 I think I'll make a start on hoovering the available floor space.
2004 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 3 June e7/3 The company has come a long way since its rocky start in January.
b. The beginning of something; the point in time at which something has its origins.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > [noun]
ordeOE
thresholdeOE
frumthc950
anginOE
frumeOE
worthOE
beginninga1225
springc1225
springc1225
commencementc1250
ginninga1300
comsingc1325
entryc1330
aginning1340
alphac1384
incomea1400
formec1400
ingressc1420
birtha1425
principlea1449
comsementa1450
resultancec1450
inition1463
inceptiona1483
entering1526
originala1529
inchoation1530
opening1531
starting1541
principium1550
entrance1553
onset1561
rise1589
begin1590
ingate1591
overture1595
budding1601
initiationa1607
starting off1616
dawninga1631
dawn1633
impriminga1639
start1644
fall1647
initial1656
outset1664
outsettinga1698
going off1714
offsetting1782
offset1791
commence1794
aurora1806
incipiency1817
set-out1821
set-in1826
throw-off1828
go-off1830
outstart1844
start1857
incipience1864
oncome1865
kick-off1875
off-go1886
off1896
get-go1960
lift-off1967
1857 Musical Gaz. 5 Sept. 426/2 We have received the following letter concerning the start of a choral society in the West of Ireland.
1878 Jackson Sentinel 12 Sept. Radicals took the opposite view and demanded coin for the said bonds. And there was the start of the greenback idea.
1915 Art & Progress 6 446/2 The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus can be considered, of course, as the start of Spanish development in the west.
1974 J. White tr. N. Poulantzas Fascism & Dictatorship iii. i. 72 At the start of the growth of fascism..various classes and factions occupy the hegemonic position.
1992 D. F. Gates Chief xx. 308 So we started holding smaller meetings in people's homes, where neighbors could gather with neighbors, with one officer attending. That was the start of the Neighborhood Watch Program, the first in the United States.
2004 M. M. Lewis Scars of Soul ii. vi. 102 And when that record he made came out, it was different from everywhere else. And that was the start of electro-funk.
c. The beginning or opening part of something, as a letter, film, etc.; (also) the point in space from which something physical and continuing (as a road, trail, river, etc.) has its beginning.
ΚΠ
1910 W. Sichel Sterne vii. 93 Sterne's refusal to serve him as mercenary pamphleteer was the chief cause of the bully's wrath. The start is not too lucid:..‘Dear Sir,—Being last Thursday at York to preach the Dean's turn [etc.].’
1940 Lowell (Mass.) Sun 21 Aug. 11/4 The camp that belongs to the local folks is situated right at the start of the river.
1969 Jrnl. Inst. Navigation 22 387 The start of the burst provides the basic range information, the radio frequency provides doppler information and in addition the latter part of the burst is bi-phase modulated.
1992 Pract. Householder Nov. 32/1 The start of the tape deals with out-of-plumb walls, applying a moisture membrane for a waterproof substrate and using a jury stick to achieve the perfect layout for your tiles.
1999 C. Jacobson Solo Canoeing (ed. 2) i. 4 You drop the gear next to a small black spruce at the start of the trail.
2011 Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville) (Nexis) 11 Mar. j6 The start of the film is very good.
d. Originally U.S. The action or an act of commencing work on the construction of a house or other building. Also more fully building start, house start, housing start.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > [noun] > building or constructing houses > initial
start1937
1937 Ogden (Utah) Standard-Examiner 29 Oct. a3 (headline) Limit set for building start. Must be begun by Dec. 24, State warns Weber College Prexy.
1946 Sun (Baltimore) 20 Aug. 8/2 The Wyatt office claims about 406,000 ‘starts’ of dwelling units in the first five months of the year.
1951 Fin. Times 13 Sept. 4/4 The present disparity between housing starts and completions.
1974 Daily Tel. 11 Mar. 16 New house starts over the last three months are down to 40 per cent. of their level at this time last year.
2000 Town & Country Planning Dec. 354/1 House-building rates are low, at about 150,000 starts in England and Wales.
2015 Vancouver Sun (Nexis) 10 Apr. b7 The Urban Development Institute's 2014 State of the Market report..shows the current ratio of new residents per housing start in Metro Vancouver is 2.1.
8.
a. An initiating impulse; that which causes something to come into existence. Now rare.Esp. in to give start to: to be the origin of, to give rise to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > bringing into action > setting in operation
streeking?a1500
start1680
startings1907
turn-on1962
1680 J. Crowne Misery Civil-war iii. 33 The cold Earth..was our Grandsire Adam's Bridal Bed, 'Twas there he gave the start to all mankind.
1688 E. Stillingfleet Council of Trent Examin'd (ed. 2) Pref. p. i There is it seems a Train in Controversies..; one thing still giving a start to another; Conferences produce Letters; Letters, Books; and one Discourse gives Occasion for another.
1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiqua Restaurata i. ix. 79 Their being truly so, might well occasion those two different traditional Accounts,..and thereby give start to these Disputes about them.
1856 Memorial Senators & Representatives Kansas (U.S. House of Representatives) 54 The ‘convention of the people's delegates’ who gave start to the movement for a State government.
1870 C. O. G. Napier Bk. Nature & Bk. Man xiii. 345 The chemical processes of decay and sustenance, illustrate further growth, after the start given at first creation.
1875 Trans. Illinois State Hort. Soc. 1874 55 Insects wound the fruit, and that gives start to the scab.
1904 E. H. Coleridge Life & Corr. Ld. Coleridge II. 107 If..Keble's sermon on ‘National Apostacy’..was the start or set-off of the Catholic Revival.
2003 Appl. Vegetation Sci. 6 102/2 The few seeds dispersed over great distances may eventually be the ones to give start to a population at a new site.
b. The circumstances in which a person starts or enters on a career, course of action, line of business, etc., esp. when these have been made more favourable by assistance or preferential treatment; an opportunity to make such a favourable beginning. Often with in, as a start in life, a start in business, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > entering upon a course of action > assistance given for starting or entering
start1842
1842 Ladies' Repos. Sept. 284/1 It seems her young husband, desiring a better start in life than his patrimony afforded him..had decided to cross the ocean.
1849 H. Martineau Introd. Hist. Peace (1877) III. iv. x. 75 All were to have a fresh start—to be allowed the free use of their best powers.
1890 W. M. Thayer From Printing Office to Court St. James xxiv. 259 I will give you a start in business.
1902 E. Banks Autobiogr. Newspaper Girl xxviii. 310 Then, as I was not to be turned back, he took me on and gave me my start—a better start..than falls to the lot of many girls who begin the life journalistic.
1907 F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (ed. 2 reissued) I. 95 He was given a fresh start by his long-suffering father.
1908 Times 20 July 19/4 It does not affect the special funds..for helping towards the education or start in life of clergy children.
1924 P. G. Wodehouse Bill the Conqueror 211 I'm sure that if you would take him into your business and give him a fair start he would do wonders.
1969 J. Gross Rise & Fall Man of Lett. i. 24 The Morning Chronicle gave Hazlitt his start in journalism.
2011 Daily Tel. 29 Nov. 10/5 If we can make it easier more mums would breastfeed and they might do it for longer, giving their children the best start in life.
a. Originally: (a nickname for) Newgate prison in London. Later sometimes more generally: any prison. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > prison > [noun]
quarternOE
prisona1200
jailc1275
lodgec1290
galleya1300
chartrea1325
ward1338
keepingc1384
prison-house1419
lying-house1423
javel1483
tollbooth1488
kidcotec1515
clinkc1530
warding-place1571
the hangman's budget1589
Newgate1592
gehenna1594
Lob's pound1597
caperdewsie1599
footman's inn1604
cappadochio1607
pena1640
marshalsea1652
log-house1662
bastille1663
naskin1673
state prison1684
tronk1693
stone-doublet1694
iron or stone doublet1698
college1699
nask1699
quod1699
shop1699
black hole1707
start1735
coop1785
blockhouse1796
stone jug1796
calaboose1797
factory1806
bull-pen1809
steel1811
jigger1812
jug1815
kitty1825
rock pile1830
bughouse1842
zindan1844
model1845
black house1846
tench1850
mill1851
stir1851
hoppet1855
booby hatch1859
caboose1865
cooler1872
skookum house1873
chokey1874
gib1877
nick1882
choker1884
logs1888
booby house1894
big house1905
hoosegow1911
can1912
detention camp1916
pokey1919
slammer1952
joint1953
slam1960
1735 Proc. Old Bailey 10 Dec. 39/1 The Prisoner jumpt into the Coach, and said, Coachman! drive me to the Start.
1747 Proc. Old Bailey 9 Sept. 221/1 As we were going with the two Prisoners to Newgate somebody calls out Hoy Jack, Where are you going? And the Boy..reply'd, He was going to the Start for Nimming a Cull in his Eye.
1788 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (ed. 2) Start, or The old Start, Newgate.
1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang (at cited word) The Start. Newgate is thus termed, par excellence. But every felon-prison would be equally a start.
1829 P. Egan Finish Adventures Tom, Jerry, & Logic vii. 200 Jack was extremely fond of hearing the trials at the Old Bailey, and also of noting down in a book those persons that were acquitted, and likewise those culprits found guilty of crimes..by which means he became a sort of oracle at ‘the Start’. [Note] Newgate.
b. Chiefly with the. London. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > named regions of earth > named cities or towns > [noun] > in Britain > London
city1556
start1753
Cockaigne1818
the smoke1864
big smoke1898
1753 Discov. J. Poulter (ed. 2) 20 He wanted me to change Watches with him, the Gold one for a Silver one, which he said was got the same Way up at the Start, that is, at London.
1786 Whole Art Thieving 36 Their [bad] guineas..are made at the Start, that is, London, by two particular people.
1860 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang (ed. 2) ‘The start’, London,—the great starting point for beggars and tramps.
1862 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 648 I will send a few thickuns to bring you and your tamtart up to Start.
1893 P. H. Emerson Signor Lippo v. 11 ‘Do you belong to the start or the “monkery”?’ they asked. ‘London,’ says I.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > vein > sudden disappearance of
start1778
1778 W. Pryce Mineralogia Cornubiensis 106 The most considerable disorder which Lodes are liable to..is what is termed a Start, a Leap.
1818 Trans. Royal Geol. Soc. Cornwall 1 151 This porphyritic dyke, as it may be called, which is known here simply by the name of elvan..falls into Vanvean lode at the forty-eighth fathom level, intersecting it horizontally after the manner of a slide, and occasioning a start.
1834 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal III. i. 9 Sometimes, too, a promising vein will suddenly disappear, without giving any warning, by becoming narrower, or of worse quality; this occurrence is called by the workmen a start.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > other specific games > [noun] > others
sitisota1400
papsea1450
half-bowl1477
pluck at the crow1523
white and black1555
running game1581
blow-pointa1586
hot cocklesa1586
one penny1585
cockelty bread1595
pouch1600
venter-point1600
hinch-pinch1603
hardhead1606
poor and rich1621
rowland-hoe1622
hubbub1634
handicap?a1653
owl1653
ostomachy1656
prelledsa1660
quarter-spellsa1660
yert-point1659
bob-her1702
score1710
parson has lost his cloak1712
drop (also throw) (the) handkerchief1754
French Fox1759
goal1765
warpling o' the green1768
start1788
kiss-in-the-ring1801
steal-clothes1809
steal-coat1816
petits paquets1821
bocce1828
graces1831
Jack-in-the-box1836
hot hand1849
sparrow-mumbling1852
Aunt Sally1858
gossip1880
Tambaroora1882
spoof1884
fishpond1892
nim1901
diabolo1906
Kim's game1908
beaver1910
treasure-hunt1913
roll-down1915
rock scissors paper1927
scissors cut paper1927
scissors game1927
the dozens1928
toad in the hole1930
game1932
scissors paper stone1932
Roshambo1936
Marco Polo1938
scavenger hunt1940
skish1940
rock paper scissors1947
to play chicken1949
sounding1962
joning1970
arcade game1978
1788 J. Q. Adams Diary 30 Jan. in Life New Eng. Town (1903) 91 Afterwards play'd a number of very amusing sports, such as start.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > distance covered by a bow-shot
draughtc1330
arrow shotc1487
start1820
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 239 It is..a primary consideration with the harpooner, always to place his boat as near as possible to the spot in which he expects the fish to rise, and he conceives himself successful in the attempt when the fish ‘comes up within a start’; that is, within the distance of about 200 yards.
1830 J. Leslie et al. Narr. Discov. Polar Seas 360 All the boats have..been spreading themselves in various directions, that one at least may be within a start, as it is called, or about 200 yards of the point of his rising.
1846 A. Young Naut. Dict. 146 The boats meanwhile separate..in order that one at least may be within ‘a start’—that is, about two hundred yards from the point of its rising.
13. British slang. A proceeding or incident that causes surprise; = go n.1 3b. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > [noun] > cause of surprise
marvelc1300
miracle1586
surprise1592
bricolea1631
surprisal1660
thunderbolt1787
startle1823
start1825
startler1829
eye-opener1833
a bolt from (or out of) the blue1837
shock1841
thunder-clap1852
startlement1867
staggerer1872
thunderstroke1880
Scarborough warning1890
surprise packet1900
bombshell1926
curveball1936
turn-up1942
a turn-up for the book(s)1948
conversation stopper1959
left turn1986
1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. p. xxiii A Night Scene, or, a rum start near B— H—l.
1835 C. Whitehead Autobiogr. Jack Ketch xvi. 210 Queer start, wasn't it, eh? but we were always at it;—cat and dog work—hammer and tongs.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xi. 105 Being asked what he thinks of the proceedings, [Little Swills] characterises them (his strength lying in a slangular direction) as ‘a rummy start’.
1858 A. Mayhew Paved with Gold iii. xiv. 342 Here's a start! a reg'lar twicer!
1886 W. H. Long Dict. Isle of Wight Dial. 74 Here's a middlen start, you! Our keerter's ben and 'listed for a sojer.
1939 R. Lehmann No more Music 45 You hear of some rum starts in Africa..devilish queer things.
1961 Lit. Rev. Winter 184 Bavink had begun by saying he was incapable of talking seriously, and that's a queer start for a chap like that.
1972 G. Heyer Lady of Quality 19 She had every intention of favouring Miss Wychwood with her opinion of her latest, ill-judged start.
2014 G. Burrowes What Lady needs for Christmas 47 Tiberius was determined that he should be able to look after the boy in every needful fashion, which even his Scottish relations regarded as a queer start, indeed.
Phrases
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 847 This Duc his courser with the spores smoot And at a stert he was bitwix hem two.
a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Harl. 4866) (1897) l. 1109 And at a stirt, withouten tarying, Vn-to his cofre he dressith hym in hye.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Duke of Glocester f. xv For as fyer yll quencht will vp at a starte..So hatred hydden in an yrefull harte, Where it hath had long season to brewe, Upon euery occasion doth easely renewe.
1606 E. Forset Compar. Disc. Bodies Nat. & Politique 29 It is admirable to see the swift and sudden recourse of bloud, now stirred outwardly at a start like lightning, and anon posting backe in feare of daunger to the hearts succour.
1669 D. Abercromby Scolding No Scholarship 25 After his Book has been a twelve moneth under the Press at home, we may have a Book Printed at a start abroad.
a1774 R. Fergusson Poems Var. Subj. (1779) 124 No idle pomp that riches can procure, Sprung at a start, and faded in an hour.
1843 H. R. Schoolcraft Alhalla vi. 78 When sighing hours, when ling'ring years..Are banish'd all, and, at a start, Kind heart is riveted to heart.
P2.
a. by (formerly also †at) starts: intermittently, not continuously or with sustained effort. Now somewhat rare.In the earliest examples start is perhaps to be understood in sense 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > intermittently
by (formerly also at) startsc1422
startmeal?c1422
off and on1535
every otherwhile1542
by, or in, snatches1577
by fits and turns1583
by halves and fits1583
one time with another1591
fit-meal1593
by fits and spurts1605
planetarily?1609
scatteredly1612
startinglya1616
by snaps1631
intermittingly1654
from space to space1658
on and off1668
at (by) intervals1744
cessantly1746
by spells1788
fitfully1792
by fits and spasms1797
everylikea1800
intermittently1800
intermittedly1829
interjectionally1837
jerkily1839
at seasons1850
sporadically1852
parenthetically1860
spasmodically1877
snatchily1880
variously1892
c1422 T. Hoccleve Dialogus (Durh.) l. 505 in Minor Poems (1970) i. 128 By stirtes, whan þat a fressh lust me takith, Wole I me bisye now and now a lyte.
a1528 F. Poyntz tr. Table of Cebes (?1531) f. 14v Ye muste consydre these sayenges continually, and not by startis.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 858/1 At startes, par foys.
1557 P. Hoby in J. W. Burgon Life & Times Sir T. Gresham (1839) I. 225 But you come so by sterts, as to-night you are here, and tomorrowe you are gone.
1577 R. Stanyhurst Hist. Irelande iii. 78/1 in R. Holinshed Chron. I They [sc. the Irish]..performed by startes (as theyr manner is) the duetie of good subiects.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 51 This little Treatise..being gathered and compiled by starts, as my leysure would serve.
1630 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. 53 So we at starts do assent to the sweet and precious promises.
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 17 Was every thing by starts, and nothing long.
1728 Earl of Ailesbury Mem. (1890) 261 But I knew he had by starts great notions of generosity.
1799 H. Lee Canterbury Tales (ed. 2) I. 239 The letters he daily received..induced him, by starts, to betray [etc.].
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biographia Literaria II. xxii. 131 Let it likewise be shown how far the influence has acted; whether diffusively, or only by starts.
1900 Birmingham Med. Rev. Dec. 349 The patient only breathed by starts, his face was cyanotic, and his pulse was still distinctly palpable.
1911 Cosmopolitan Oct. 666/1 He seems moody, works by starts, then will neglect his work entirely.
1961 D. Madden Beautiful Greed ii. iii. 113 He slept by starts, dreamed fitfully.
b. In collocation with other nouns, with similar or related meaning.Esp. in by fits and starts: see fit n.2 4c.
ΚΠ
1577 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. Ephesians xlvii. f. 336 It is not ynough for vs too pray vntoo God by startes and braydes [Fr. par bouffees] (as they say:) but wee must continue in it.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxii. 442 To provoke his enemies, [he] fought by starts and fits, charging upon them, and retyring back againe with great nimblenesse.
1607 G. Meriton Serm. Repentance sig. C4 Wee may not repent by quames and startes, but go through stitch.
1621 T. W. in tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard Ep. Ded. sig. A2v I took vp my Pen againe, and at starts and tymes finished it.
1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub x. 185 He writ it in a Week at Bits and Starts.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge lxvi. 320 He..had watched with little intermission for some weeks past, sleeping only in the day by starts and snatches.
1878 C. T. Cruttwell Hist. Rom. Lit. (ed. 2) ix. 102 He..tells how he pursued his work continuously, lest if he wrote by starts and snatches, he might pervert the reader's mind.
1920 A. Hitch Poems & Ess. 92 Thy sleep shall come by starts and fits And leave a bad taste in the mouth.
1980 K. W. Thompson Morality & Foreign Policy (1982) 172 The study of international politics has proceeded by starts and stops from one approach to another.
1994 G. Best War & Law since 1945 (1997) 411 This serious sort of ‘Western’ public interest has been growing by fits and starts since the late 1950s and early 1960s.
P3. to get (also have) the start of: to get ahead of (a person, originally a competitor in a race); (more generally) to gain an advantage over; to get the better of; †to surpass (obsolete). †to get (also have) the start: to get ahead, take the lead (obsolete). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > get ahead of
to get of ——1548
to get (also have) the start of1569
to get (also gain) a march (up)on1707
to cut out1738
1569 N. Haward tr. Seneca Line of Liberalitie ii. xxv. f. 74v He that is appointed to runne for a wager, muste watche diligentlie to get the start of hys fellowe [L. opperiri debere tempus suum].
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 101v Those, who hauing gotten the startte in a race, thinke none to be neere their heeles.
1602 W. Watson tr. E. Pasquier Iesuites Catech. iii. xix. f. 190 Seeing you professe your selues to be Logicians, & to haue the start of all men in scholasticall Diuinitie.
1611 B. Jonson Catiline iii. sig. F4v Here is a Lady, that hath got the start, In piety, of vs all. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. ii. 132 It doth amaze me, A man of such a feeble temper should So get the start of the Maiesticke world. View more context for this quotation
1631 W. Cornwallis Ess. (ed. 2) ii. li. 327 They haue the start that are borne great, but hee that ouertakes, hath the honour.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ vi. xxxv. 54 Dr. Jorden hath got the start of any that ever writ of this subject.
1665 J. Bunyan Holy Citie (1669) 98 The Twelve will have the start of him; for they both had the Spirit as he, and more then he.
1733 W. Ellis Chiltern & Vale Farming 278 Twitch-grass and other Weeds..got the start of the St. Foyn and kill'd it.
1753 G. Washington Jrnl. (1754) 26 Walked all the remaining Part of the Night without making any Stop; that we might get the Start, so far, as to be out of the Reach of their Pursuit the next Day.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. x. vi. 75 I remained motionless for some seconds, which gave him time to get the start of me.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond iv I did not go to the office till half an hour after opening time... I was not sorry to let Hoskins have the start of me, and tell the chaps what had taken place.
1861 K. H. Digby Chapel St. John (1863) 169 She never suffered her imagination to get the start of her judgment.
1914 Power Boating Oct. 22/2 On Friday he got the start of the bunch, crossing at full speed 4 seconds after gunfire.
1953 Times (Cullman, Alabama) 22 Oct. We should have worked the garden better... The crab grass got the start of us.
P4. † a. to take the start of (formerly †upon): = to get the start of at Phrases 3. Obsolete.† b. to take the start: (a) to depart, set off, decamp; (b) to take the lead (= to get the start at Phrases 3). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1578 T. P. Of Knowl. Warres ii. f. 29 Horses in suche groundes disordered, and leapinge one vpon an others backe for lacke of roome, shall loose their force to take the starte vpon the enemie.
1600 G. Powel Resolued Christian ii. v. 212 They that will take the start of profession, are like wilde coltes that are frighted with shadowes.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ v. xxvii. 32 I have bin shewn for Irish and Bascuence Imperfect rules couchd in an Accidence: But I find none of these can take the start Of Davies.
1686 A. L. A. M. tr. A. Varillas Pattern for Educ. Princes Author's Advt. sig. b5 It was rationally to be presumed that the Catholick King would take the start of his Son-in-law, and make sure of the Nobility of Castile before the Archduke could be in a condition to sollicite them to own him.
1770 Fatal Friendship I. xii. 98 Behold my beau! he has taken the start of his rivals, and comes to engage me.
1839 Proc. Bombay Geogr. Soc. May 113 A very little farther on, he took the start of us, we being embarrassed by snow and ice, and either hiding himself or passing over the rocks, was lost to us.
1882 Every Week 30 Aug. 138/3 You took the start of me, and did all the work yourself.
1908 Amer. Rev. of Reviews Mar. 342/1 Apprehending trouble before it arrived, the banks simply took the start of their demand creditors.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away suddenly or hastily
fleec825
runOE
swervea1225
biwevec1275
skip1338
streekc1380
warpa1400
yerna1400
smoltc1400
stepc1460
to flee (one's) touch?1515
skirr1548
rubc1550
to make awaya1566
lope1575
scuddle1577
scoura1592
to take the start1600
to walk off1604
to break awaya1616
to make off1652
to fly off1667
scuttle1681
whew1684
scamper1687
whistle off1689
brush1699
to buy a brush1699
to take (its, etc.) wing1704
decamp1751
to take (a) French leave1751
morris1765
to rush off1794
to hop the twig1797
to run along1803
scoot1805
to take off1815
speela1818
to cut (also make, take) one's lucky1821
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
absquatulize1829
mosey1829
absquatulate1830
put1834
streak1834
vamoose1834
to put out1835
cut1836
stump it1841
scratch1843
scarper1846
to vamoose the ranch1847
hook1851
shoo1851
slide1859
to cut and run1861
get1861
skedaddle1862
bolt1864
cheese it1866
to do a bunkc1870
to wake snakes1872
bunk1877
nit1882
to pull one's freight1884
fooster1892
to get the (also to) hell out (of)1892
smoke1893
mooch1899
to fly the coop1901
skyhoot1901
shemozzle1902
to light a shuck1905
to beat it1906
pooter1907
to take a run-out powder1909
blow1912
to buzz off1914
to hop it1914
skate1915
beetle1919
scram1928
amscray1931
boogie1940
skidoo1949
bug1950
do a flit1952
to do a scarper1958
to hit, split or take the breeze1959
to do a runner1980
to be (also get, go) ghost1986
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice ii. ii. 5 The fiend..tempts me, saying to me, Iobbe,..vse your legges, take the start, runne away. View more context for this quotation
?1600 Apol. Earle of Essex sig. A4 When her Maiestie was armed, and able to take the starte.
1631 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas Spanish Bawd xii. 138 I stand sideling, my legs abroad, my left foote formost, ready to take the start.
1684 tr. P. Jurieu Hist. Council of Trent v. 269 At length the Duke of Alva..thought it his part to take the start, and declare War first.
1766 Ld. Kames Remarkable Decisions Court of Session 1730–52 11 Several of these creditors, taking the start, laid arrestments in the hands of the accepters of these bills.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality xiv, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 315 Better take the start with him along with the rest, and join the ranting Highlanders.
1869 Fraser's Mag. Mar. 388/2 Philip, taking the start, is the first to reach the bottom of the tower.
P5. to strain (formerly also †draw) upon the start (and variants): (originally of a hound) to strain at the leash, be anxious to run forward; also figurative.In later use chiefly in echoes of Shakespeare: see quot. a1616.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [phrase] > to strain on the leash
to strain (formerly also draw) upon the starta1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. i. 32 I see you stand like Grey-hounds in the slips, Straying [1709 (ed. Rowe) Straining] vpon the Start . View more context for this quotation
1622 M. Drayton 2nd Pt. Poly-olbion xxiii. 72 And whilst the eager dogs vpon the Start doe draw, Shee riseth from her seat.
1821 Morning Post 15 Nov. Another sets it [sc. a hat] so lightly and delicately on, that it seems to be ever ‘straining upon the start’, and, like ‘the sweet pea, on tip-toe for a flight’.
1844 C. C. Moore Poems 23 All their buoyant spirits were alive, Like high-bred coursers straining on the start.
1886 Punch 3 July 6/1 See the rival champions stand! See them straining on the start, Masters of the runner's art.
1896 Contemp. Rev. 70 535 I would that all my creatures were a race..tempered like deer-hounds straining at the start.
1958 Manch. Guardian 29 Sept. 21 Ten minutes before the kick-off Arsenal were on the field ‘straining upon the start’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [adverb] > suddenly
in a widden-dreamOE
a sursaut1338
at a wapa1400
in a swing1487
on or upon a (or the) sudden1558
at a (orthe) sudden1562
in a sudden1562
of a sudden1570
short1579
overshort1587
on the starta1616
slap1672
swap1672
bob1673
souse1680
sharply1828
sharp1836
a-sudden1871
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. ii. 50 I haue felt so many quirkes of ioy and greefe, That the first face of neither on the start Can woman me vntoo't. View more context for this quotation
1633 W. Ames Fresh Suit against Human Ceremonies Pref. sig. b4 If they advise with other, of more able understanding, it is upon a start or suddayne, that ther can be no sad dispute.
a1637 B. Jonson Sad Shepherd iii. iv. 51 in Wks. (1640) III My men shall hunt you too upon the start, And course you soundly. View more context for this quotation
1694 S. Jennings State of Case betwixt Quakers & G. Keith 26 He is now hurrying all on a start for Old England.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping of cattle > [noun] > leaping into adjoining pasture
start and overloup1671
1671 in M. B. Johnston Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court Deeds (1939) I. No. 89 The foirsaid six sheep sowmes grase with ane naig or ane meir and start and over leap of the hoggis.
1707 J. Lauder Decisions (1761) II. 408 If they [sc. cattle], in their transient passage, do any skaith by start and o'erloup.
1774 Scots Farmer 2 301 A neighbour of mine took the liberty of start and o'er-loup, as it is called, without allowing of which there is no living in good neighbourhood.
1820 W. Scott Monastery I. i. 87 Some, yet bolder, made, either with their own domestics, or by associating themselves with the moss-troopers, in the language of shepherds, ‘a start and owerloup’.
1827 W. Scott Two Drovers in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. I. xiv. 310 The cattle..subsisted themselves..sometimes by the tempting opportunity of a start and owerloup, or invasion of the neighbouring pasture.
P8. from start to finish: from the beginning to the end (originally of a race); (sometimes also more generally) at all points, throughout.
ΚΠ
1839 Sporting Rev. Apr. 318 A good race, without a single baulk in the leaping, from start to finish.
1881 Belgravia Aug. 136 They broke the journey here and there, and made it last them three weeks from start to finish.
1894 Illustr. London News Christmas No. 22/3 The whole thing was unusual, from start to finish.
1896 Spectator 25 Apr. 580 The plot interest..is sustained from start to finish.
1908 Relig. Telescope 15 July 4/1 No man lives who can point to a solitary good result that ever came from a saloon, but he can name a dozen bad results. The whole business is wicked from start to finish.
1969 Times 10 May 6/5 Riding Pitz Palu,..he [sc. a showjumper]..made the running from start to finish.
2003 Time Out N.Y. 7 Aug. 44/1 They're serving Niçoise flavors from start to finish: Pissaladière.., fennel-cured mackerel with grapefruit, and grilled leg of lamb with pommes galette.
2014 Daily Tel. 4 Apr. 4/6 From start to finish, this unreserved apology..lasted a grand total of 32 seconds.
P9. to be (also get) off to a —— start: to start an activity, race, etc., in a specified way or manner; cf. flying start at flying adj. 4a.
ΚΠ
1866 Manch. Guardian 21 Aug. 8/2 After a little delay..the two crews got together, and very shortly were off to a very good start.
1930 X marks Spot 22/1 ‘Little Hymie’ Weiss had got off to a flying start by eliminating Johnny Torrio.
1947 Meriden (Connecticut) Record 4 Jan. 4/3 Form players were off to a bad start today when More Stings, a pronounced choice in the mile and sixteenth race opening the program, failed to place.
1959 Times 18 June 13/3 Dr. Bertram gets off to a slow start.
1994 Sun (Baltimore) 15 Apr. c5/1 Their relationship got off to a rocky start.
2015 Bowls Internat. Apr. 16/2 Denise Molan's rink picked up three trebles in the first six ends to get off to a good start against recall Caroline Ruxton.
P10. colloquial. for a start: to begin with; frequently used to emphasize the first or most significant of a list of reasons, opinions, etc. Cf. to start with —— 2 at start v. Phrasal verbs 2, starter n. Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > at the beginning [phrase] > to begin with
to start with ——1838
as (also for) a starter1846
for a start1874
for starters1952
for (also as) openers1966
1874 Daily News 8 Aug. 6/1 Next came the School of Gunnery, who for a start scored three direct hits, but the two remaining shots went under and over.
1892 Boston Post 24 Dec. 4/2 A Bureau of Roads will do well enough for a start, but a Department of Roads is what we want.
1901 Deb. House of Commons (Canada) 21 May 5775 Well, for a start, we might have an engine or two built there.
1925 C. L. Knox Diary Young Lady (1926) 18 A more prodigious series of accidents than occurred last night can hardly be imagined. For a start Cousin C...took it into her head to sit conversing with me till 11 o'clock.
1971 Radio Times 21 Aug. 47/3 What makes Raven unusual? For a start he's 46, and..he was a ballet dancer, a lieutenant of infantry, a classical actor and a television producer.
1978 L. Thomas Ormerod's Landing iii. 48 Everybody else knows... The submarine crew know for a start.
2011 New Yorker 29 Aug. 82/1 Why her? Well, for a start, there are those eyes.
P11. start to stop: (chiefly with reference to the timing or scheduling of train journeys) from the moment when a vehicle begins to move to the moment when it comes to rest at its destination; frequently attributive (usually hyphenated).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > [adjective] > type of journey or schedule
start to stop1897
1888 National Car & Locomotive Builder Sept. 189/2 The highest average speed at which a train is timed from start to stop is just 54 miles an hour.]
1897 Speaker 4 Dec. 627/2 The fastest run in France was 44 miles an hour, start to stop.
1899 Railway Mag. 4 375/1 They comprise one of the best start-to-stop runs I have ever had on a British line.
1931 Times Educ. Suppl. 19 Sept. (Home & Classroom Suppl.) p. ii/2 (caption) The Great Western Railway Company regained this week the record for the fastest start-to-stop journey in the world.
1936 Discovery Nov. 356/1 Two or three runs booked, start-to-stop, at over 80 miles an hour.
1997 Rail 12 Mar. 29/3 Perhaps my most memorable and prized run of all..a Paddington–Reading HST run a few years ago which did the distance start to stop in 18 minutes, having run at about 140mph for virtually the entire distance!
2013 J. Holland A–Z of Famous Express Trains 42/2 (caption) With a start to stop speed between Swindon and Paddington booked at 71.3mph the ‘Flyer’ could rightfully make claim to being the ‘World's Fastest Train’.
Compounds
Cf. start v. Compounds 1. [In some of these compounds the first element could alternatively be interpreted as start v. (compare start v. Compounds 1). Compare parallel formations with starting n. as the first element, which are generally earlier.] start codon n. Molecular Biology a codon in messenger RNA that acts as a signal for the initiation of translation.Also called initiation codon.
ΚΠ
1966 Jrnl. Molecular Biol. 21 332 A ribosome can only become attached at the beginning of a polycistronic messenger..and it must contact a start codon before it begins the assembly of amino acids.
2008 Science 18 July 318/1 Almost all eukaryotic genes initiate the translation of their messenger RNA (mRNA) into protein at an AUG start codon (which codes for the amino acid methionine).
start date n. the date on which something (esp. a job) commences or begins; starting date.
ΚΠ
1920 Wid's Daily 9 May 26/3 (advt.) Burston Films: 'Hawk's Tail' opens Pantages' here April 26... Will have start dates in other houses in couple of days.
1970 South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) 24 June 19/5 (advt.) Please give telephone number and state earliest possible start date.
1990 J. Eberts & T. Ilott My Indecision is Final vii. 71 The pre-production phase was well advanced and we were getting even closer to the November start date.
2004 C. Cobb Ego & Ink vi. 54 Should your position..be eliminated within two years of your start date, you may elect either another position offered to you by Southam or severance payment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habitat > habitat > [noun] > dwelling place or shelter
houseOE
denOE
holdc1275
lying-placea1382
coucha1398
homea1398
logis1477
starting-hole1530
cabbage1567
lodge1567
lair1575
lay1590
squat1590
hover1602
denning1622
start-holea1641
bed1694
niche1725
shed1821
lying1834
basking-hole1856
lie1869
homesite1882
holt1890
lying-ground1895
a1641 T. Heywood Captives (1953) i. iii. 24 Ffrance shall not conteine this but I will ffinde theire start-holes.
1680 ‘Philopolite’ True Englishman 38 When some defect or start-hole is found in the Laws.
1701 State Part of Yorks. Hatfield Chase 15 He shuffles of the Decree at York, that place being near his start holes.
start line n. = starting line n. at starting n. Compounds 4; frequently in extended use in Military contexts.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > [noun] > starting place of attack
attack1646
start line1908
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > starting or finishing mark > starting mark
score1513
starting place1570
goal1589
barrier1600
lists1601
starting post1631
scratch1772
starting line1812
mark1887
start line1908
gate1928
mobile1969
1908 F. Elston More Organized Games 153 Two, three, or more players at the Teacher's discretion, are now chosen from one end of each side, and these stand on the ‘Start’ line.
1921 J. F. O'Ryan Story of 27th Div. I. xvi. 300 The importance of his securing, by determined patrolling and infiltration, a start line as far forward as possible was urged.
1945 E. Waugh Brideshead Revisited 224 I would..think at such and such a time..I shall cross the start-line and open my attack for better or worse... With Julia there were no phases, no start-line, no tactics at all.
1995 A. C. Venzon U.S. in First World War 569/1 By day's end, the regiment was back at the start line.
2010 Daily Tel. 20 Sept. 27/2 The teams cross the start line in two-minute staggers.
start-off n. (a) an act or the action of starting off (to start off at start v. Phrasal verbs 1); (b) a point of starting off; a starting point; also attributive; frequently in for a start-off: = for a start at Phrases 10.
ΚΠ
1830 Edinb. New Philos. Jrnl. 9 8 It [sc. the whale] had not been long in deep water before it began to evince evident signs of life, and soon after made a start off with the boats.
1885 B. Harte Shore & Sedge 127 She found on her berth a purple velvet bonnet of extraordinary make, and a pair of white satin slippers. ‘They'll do for a start off, Rosey,’ he explained.
1916 J. Martin Diary 13 Nov. in Sapper Martin (2010) 29 I think we are likely to stay here for about three weeks as a start off. After that it will be a week in and a week out.
1999 Independent (Nexis) 12 May 6 In these last 20 pages are themes that would have been better used as a start-off point.
2004 A. Wahidin Older Women in Criminal Justice Syst. 168 The prison would improve by letting the officers treat you with a bit of respect for a start-off.
2005 S. K. Chakrabarti Handbk. Offshore Engin. I. vi. 293 This phase includes all engineering services provided after the completion of the detailed engineering phase to the start-off of the oil and gas production operations.
start point n. = starting point n. at starting n. Compounds 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > [noun] > starting-point
terminus a quo1549
starting place1570
terma1628
salient motion1664
salient pointa1682
punctum saliens1695
starting point1782
Adam and Eve1793
starting ground1802
point of departure1804
baseline1836
point de départ1848
zero1849
start point1860
jumping-board1878
jumping-off board1914
jumping-off point1927
starting block1932
square one1952
1860 H. Moule Rom. Republic iii. 30 To found in Spain a new empire, at once a powerful resource for Carthage in point of wealth, and a start-point for future hostilities with Rome.
1876 J. Ruskin Fors Clavigera VI. lxii. 59 I find myself..without any start-point for attempt to understand them.
1920 W. S. Sims & B. J. Hendrick Victory at Sea ix. 302 That mathematical spot on the ocean which was known as the ‘start point’—the place, that is, where the mine-laying was to begin.
2004 Independent on Sunday 7 Nov. 10/2 Most riders spent Friday..building their own routes or ‘lines’ from the start point, 1,200ft up, to the bottom of the canyon.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† startn.3
Obsolete.
Used as a term of contempt for an Englishman or Englishwoman. Chiefly in English start.Only in representations and reports of the speech of Dutch speakers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > nations > native or inhabitant of Europe > British nation > English nation > [noun] > native or inhabitant of England
EnglishmaneOE
EnglishOE
startc1438
Southron1488
Englander1610
knife-man1643
Englisher1652
southern1721
John Bull1772
Saxon1810
Sassenach1815
rosbif1826
Goddam1830
Angrezi1866
Angrez1877
Percy1916
Limey1918
woodbine1918
homie1926
kipper1946
c1438 Bk. Margery Kempe (1940) ii. 236 Þer cam preistys to hir..of þat cuntre; Þei clepyd hir Englisch sterte & spokyn many lewyd wordys vn-to hir.
1673 J. Dryden Amboyna i. 3 Hang 'em base English sterts.
1673 J. Dryden Amboyna v. 65 Then in full Romers, and with joyful Hearts We'l drink confusion to all English Starts.
1696 W. Mountague Delights Holland 61 They nick-name the English Starts; that is, Tails.
1760 Conduct of Dutch 58 Among other opprobrious names, they daily called him, English Dog, and English Start.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
STARTn.4
/stɑːt/, U.S. /stɑrt/ (a) Any of a series of negotiations held between the United States and the Soviet Union or (after 1991) Russia, and later also involving other countries, with a view to making reductions in nuclear arms. (b) Any of three international arms treaties proposed or agreed as a result of these negotiations.The Strategic Arms Reduction Talks superseded the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (see SALT n.3) in 1981. The first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed in 1991; a second treaty, START II, was signed in 1993 but never came into effect, and was effectively superseded in 2003 by the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT). A third treaty, often referred to as New START, was signed in 2010.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > conferring or consulting > a conference > particular types of
parliament?a1400
diet1471
symposiac1603
by-conference1625
guestling1629
sanhedrim1653
comitia1684
symposium1784
assembly1794
powwow1812
neighbourhood meeting1823
colloquium1861
congress1861
party conference1875
indaba1894
press conference1908
case conference1913
story conference1920
telemeeting1973
poster session1974
START1981
presser1988
1981 Associated Press Newswire (Nexis) 22 June Rostow..said the SALT concept should be replaced by ‘START—for strategic arms reduction talks’.
1982 Medicine Hat (Alberta) News 3 Mar. 19/7 The Administration should by this spring have..consulted with its allies on the shape of a fundamentally different strategic arms reduction treaty (START) with the Soviet Union.
1984 S. Talbott Deadly Gambits xii. 235 By the time the National Security Council finally buckled down to START in the spring of 1982, Perle was advocating one ceiling of 4,000 ballistic-missile warheads [etc.].
2009 Irish Times (Nexis) 18 Sept. 17 Moscow may also be more willing to move forward in strategic arms reduction talks (Start).
2014 Salt Lake Tribune (Nexis) 8 Sept. The [rocket] motors were part of Trident I ballistic missiles that are being eliminated as part of the START treaties.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
startv.
/stɑːt/, U.S. /stɑrt/α. Old English sturtende (Northumbrian, present participle), early Middle English storte (south-west midlands), Middle English stirt (3rd singular present indicative), Middle English stirtte, Middle English–1500s styrt, Middle English–1500s styrte, Middle English–1600s stirte, Middle English–1600s sturte, Middle English–1600s (1900s– Newfoundland) stirt, Middle English–1700s sturt, late Middle English stirdt (perhaps transmission error).
β. early Middle English stard (3rd singular present indicative), early Middle English start (3rd singular present indicative), Middle English stertte (3rd singular present indicative), Middle English–1500s sterte, Middle English–1600s starte, Middle English–1600s stert, Middle English– start, late Middle English strert (3rd singular present indicative, transmission error), 1500s startte; Scottish pre-1700 starte, pre-1700 1700s– start, pre-1700 1900s– stairt, pre-1700 1900s– stert; also Irish English 1800s starth (Wexford), 1900s– stairt (northern), 1900s– stert (northern).
2. Past tense. a. Syncopated.α. early Middle English storte (south-western), Middle English stirtte, Middle English strurte (transmission error), Middle English sturt, Middle English sturte, Middle English styrt, Middle English–1500s stirt, Middle English 1600s stirte, Middle English–1600s styrte, late Middle English stryt (perhaps transmission error), 1500s styrtt.
β. Middle English stertte, Middle English stret (perhaps transmission error), Middle English strete (perhaps transmission error), Middle English–1500s stert, Middle English–1600s start, Middle English–1600s starte, late Middle English strette (transmission error), 1500s steart, 1500s stertt, Middle English–1500s 1700s (1800s archaic) sterte; Scottish pre-1700 start, pre-1700 starte, pre-1700 1800s–1900s stert.
b. Unsyncopated.α. late Middle English stirted.
β. 1500s (1800s English regional) sterted, 1500s– started, 1600s startted; Scottish pre-1700 startit, pre-1700 stettit (probably transmission error), pre-1700 1700s– started, 1800s– sterted.
3. Past participle. a. Syncopated.α. Middle English stirt, Middle English stirte, Middle English styrt.
β. Middle English istert, Middle English ystert, Middle English–1500s stert, Middle English–1500s sterte, Middle English–1600s start, 1500s stertt; Scottish pre-1700 stert, pre-1700 (1900s Shetland) start.
b. Unsyncopated.β. 1500s– started, 1600s 1800s– startit (Scottish and Irish English (northern)).
I. To (cause to) make a sudden movement, and related senses.† 1. intransitive. To leap, jump; to caper, cavort; (also) to leap or spring upon a horse. Also figurative. Obsolete.† 3. Without implication of sudden onset of movement.† 5. † 10. intransitive. To desert or revolt from (a leader, party, etc.); to turn away, deviate, or withdraw from (a course, purpose, principle, undertaking, etc.). Also with aside, back, etc. Obsolete.† 12. transitive. To propound (a question, an assertion, etc.); to introduce or raise (a subject, issue, etc.). Also with forth. Obsolete (in later use merged in sense 19).Perhaps in origin a figurative use of sense 7a(a); cf. sense 7b.† 16. transitive. colloquial. To discompose or humiliate (a person) with a sharp remark. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)]
leapc900
startOE
reseOE
springa1275
throwc1275
upleapc1275
launch13..
aspringc1315
sault1377
lance?a1400
sprenta1400
loupc1480
lope1483
spang1513
bendc1530
jump1530
spend1533
stend1567
vaulta1568
pract1568
exult1570
bound1593
saltate1623
subsalt1623
jet1635
spoutc1650
volt1753
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > mount > by leaping
leapc900
alightc1380
starta1470
volt1753
vault1815
OE (Northumbrian) Liturgical Texts (Durham Ritual) in A. H. Thompson & U. Lindelöf Rituale Ecclesiae Dunelmensis (1927) 57 Exiliens claudus stetit et ambulabat : sturtende se halta gistod & gieade.
c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) 379 He [sc. the hare] hupþ & stard [a1300 Jesus Oxf. start] suþe coue An secheþ paþes to þe groue.
a1300 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 13 Bulluc sterteþ, bucke uerteþ.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 35 Þanne þe camel..gan to lepe and sterte [emended in ed. to to sterte].
a1425 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Dulwich Coll.) l. 425 [a1400 Harl. Dremys..been but as glemys Þat] in þi þouȝt it stertyth and [Harl. continues lepys].
c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 697 And with that word nakyd with ful good herte Among the serpentis in the pit sche styrte.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 969 Therefore sterte uppon thy horse.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) viii. 471 In gret hy thair hors hint thai, And stert apon thame sturdely.
c1500 Lyfe Roberte Deuyll l. 813 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 250 So daunced and leapt [he,] and aboute so starte.
1532 Romaunt Rose in Wks. G. Chaucer f. cxxixv/2 Him luste not to play ne sterte Ne for to dauncen, ne to synge.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 109 Quhat gart ȝow montanis lyke rammis stert & stend?
2. † b. intransitive. Chiefly with to. To rush at a person or thing with hostile intent; to make a sudden attack or onslaught. See also to start on —— at Phrasal verbs 2, to start upon —— at Phrasal verbs 2. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. To move with a bound or sudden impulse from a position of rest or repose; (also) to come suddenly from or out of a place of concealment. See also to start out 1a at Phrasal verbs 1.In quot. c1275 apparently transitive (reflexive) in same sense (although this example may possibly instead show sense 3a).
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > make sudden movement [verb (intransitive)]
abraidOE
braidc1275
startc1275
shunta1400
squitch1570
flirt1582
sprunt1601
ricochet1856
the world > movement > progressive motion > specific manner of progressive motion > move progressively in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > promptly or suddenly
startc1275
pop1530
bob1836
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > leap, spring, or jump [verb (intransitive)] > suddenly
astartc1275
startc1275
yark1612
sturt1674
spurk1691
jump1720
skyrocket1859
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13005 Arður him swende to an hiȝende mid his sweorde and þen chin him of-swipte mid alle þan cheuele and sturte him [c1300 Otho storte] biaften ane treo.
c1300 St. Faith (Laud) 91 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 86 He sturte out of þis deope Roche.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12527 A nedder stert vte of þe sand.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 909 This Damyan thanne hath opned the wyket And In he stirte.
?c1425 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Royal 17 D.vi) (1860) 5 He sterte unto me, and seide, ‘Slepest thou, man?’
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 43 Therewithe he sterte unto the kyngis horse and mownted into the sadyl.
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) i. iv. sig. C.jv As the beast passed by, he start out of a buske.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 338 With those wordes he had thought to haue lept agayne to his horse, but he fayled of the Styrop, and the horse sterted awaye.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iv. vii. 12 Dizzie-ey'd Furie..Suddenly made him from my side to start Into the clustring Battaile of the French. View more context for this quotation
1623 J. Mede in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 119 The King awakened with this noise, start out of his bed, and cryed ‘Treason, Treason’.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 137 Starting at once from their green Seats, they rise; Fear in their Heart, Amazement in their Eyes. View more context for this quotation
1713 J. Smith tr. G. Chaucer in Poems upon Several Occasions 355 The Lovers start from their polluted Sheets, And yelling Murder cry about the Streets.
1727 tr. Plutarch Lives IV. 197 A Hare happen'd to start out of the Trenches.
1790 A. W. Radcliffe Sicilian Romance I. vi. 229 Peter starting from his seat, and snatching up the lamp, rushed out of the dungeon.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. x. 166 She had seen Meg Merrilies..start suddenly out of a thicket.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. iii. 158 For one moment,..he starts aloft,..to sink then for evermore.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 71 Who saw the chargers..Start from their fallen lords, and wildly fly.
1902 M. C. Crowley Heroine of Strait xvii. 232 She started abruptly toward the house, but, having gone a few paces, retraced her steps.
1944 G. Heyer Friday's Child xxv. 304 The two ladies, who had been transfixed with dismay by these proceedings, started forward.
1955 Times 27 May 14/3 I have seen him start from his chair and literally explode from the room.
2002 S. Waters Fingersmith xvi. 620 My voice made a dozen black birds start out of the bushes and fly off, cawing.
Π
a1325 St. Peter (Corpus Cambr.) l. 384 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 260 (MED) Þe dogge sturte anon to him and braid him doun to gronde.
c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1794 In to [c1450 Fairf. 16 vnto] hire throte he sterte And sette the poynt al sharp vp-on hire herte.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 71 The serpente..sterte to the man and wold haue slayn hym.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 6 (MED) Þe toode..sterte to þe serpent..And þer thei fouȝte to-geder.
c. intransitive. To rise suddenly on or upon, or (in later use esp.) to, one's feet (formerly also occasionally with legs); to stand up.
ΘΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)] > rise > quickly or suddenly
to start upc1275
upstart1303
leapc1330
upspringc1374
uprapea1400
boltc1425
starta1470
spring1474
rear1835
rare1886
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 202 And therewith sturdely he sterte uppon his leggis.
1498 Interpr. Names Goddis & Goddesses (de Worde) sig. Av/2 Then Phebus stert vpon her fete And sayd [etc.].
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 166v And ho stithly in the stoure start vppon fote.
c1580 ( tr. Bk. Alexander (1925) I. 2660 On fute he start delyuerly.
c1600 A. Montgomerie Poems (2000) I. 64 Vpon my feet incontinent I start.
1655 R. Loveday tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Hymen's Præludia: 3rd Pt. i. 4 The faire Queen ashamed of the last accident, nimbly started upon her feet, and ran..towards a part of the Wood that was thinnest.
1746 ‘F. de Biron’ tr. Adventures & Amours Marquis de Noailles II. 299 As we heard a Noise in the next Room..I started to my Feet, and was scarce got up when the Marquis entered.
1790 M. Pilkington Delia II. xli. 66 The Dean perfectly grinned with spite, and starting on his feet, asked my grandfather to take a walk in the garden.
1862 G. Borrow Wild Wales III. xiii. 126 Instantly the hound started upon his legs.
1871 F. E. Fisher Love or Hatred i. 6 When the cruel sissors [sic] had severed the first sunny lock, she started to her feet.
1902 Quiver Jan. 668/1 He broke off with a groan, and started on his feet.
1982 B. Chatwin On Black Hill xxii. 105 He started to his feet and slapped his visitor across the back.
2009 W. Smith Assegai 449 He started to his feet, knocking his coffee mug flying.
a. intransitive. To go or come swiftly or hastily; to rush, hasten. Also transitive (reflexive) in same sense. Obsolete.In Middle English sometimes without implication of speed: to go, come.
ΘΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with urgent speed
rempeOE
fuseOE
rakeOE
hiec1175
i-fusec1275
rekec1275
hastec1300
pellc1300
platc1300
startc1300
buskc1330
rapc1330
rapec1330
skip1338
firk1340
chase1377
raikc1390
to hie one's waya1400
catchc1400
start?a1505
spur1513
hasten1534
to make speed1548
post1553
hurry1602
scud1602
curry1608
to put on?1611
properate1623
post-haste1628
whirryc1630
dust1650
kite1854
to get a move on1888
to hump it1888
belt1890
to get (or put) one's skates on1895
hotfoot1896
to rattle one's dags1968
shimmy1969
c1300 (c1250) Floris & Blauncheflur (Cambr.) (1966) l. 457 (MED) Into þe cupe he sterte aȝen, And wiþ þe flures he hudde him.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) l. 1049 Þerto he stirte sone anon, And kipte up þat heui ston.
c1330 Seven Sages (Auch.) (1933) l. 1338 (MED) Ȝe let þe ston falle in þe welle And sterte vnder þe dore wel snelle.
c1390 in F. J. Furnivall Minor Poems Vernon MS (1901) ii. 524 Ofte to churche loke þow sterte.
a1450 in R. Morris Legends Holy Rood (1871) 214 To poure in prisoun þou schalt sterte.
c1475 Babees Bk. (Harl. 5086) (2002) i. 3 Stert nat Rudely; komme Inne an esy pace.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 8 (MED) He stirte to þe bord and tooke a faire gilt cowpe.
c1565 Adambel Clym of Cloughe & Wyllyam of Cloudesle (Copland) sig. B.iii Wylliam sterte to an officer of ye town Hys axe out of hys hande he wronge.
1575 W. Stevenson Gammer Gurtons Nedle iv. ii. sig. Div When ich saw this, ich was worthe see now and start bet wene them twaine, see now.
1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1664) 198 O how joyfull would my soul be to hear you start to the gate, and contend for the crown.
1650 N. Ward Discolliminium 35 She would start from Newcastle to Michaels mount at one fling.
1820 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Apr. 50/1 Out started to the door the hoary leader of the horde himself.
b. intransitive. With adverbs of direction, as about, away, forth, etc. Obsolete.In later use hard to distinguish from sense 18b(b).
Π
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 873 Hauelok..stirte forth to þe kok.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 4311 Þe romeyns sturte [a1425 Pepys stertte] to anon hor prince vor to arere.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 283 For þat dede al þe cherche sownede for joye, and þe street grucched, cryde, and made noyse, stertynge aboute.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15782 Þai stert þam forth ilkan.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1716 He [sc. a fox] blenched aȝayn bilyue & stifly start onstray.
a1456 (a1402) J. Trevisa tr. Gospel of Nicodemus (BL Add.) f. 99 Whanne Ihesus passed by..anoþer Iuwe stert forthe.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 71 The man sterte awaye and was a ferde.
1518 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1911) II. 140 And then styrtt forth John powur Water Baker [etc.]..the whyche seyd to me [etc.].
a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) 412 Than sterte in mad Kyt, That had lyttle wyt.
1585 J. Sharrock tr. C. Ocland Valiant Actes & Victorious Battailes Eng. Nation i. sig. F3 Forthwith the king Commaundes, and quickly clad,..He starteth out, with skippyng pace.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. iii. 215 You start away, And lend no eare vnto my purposes. View more context for this quotation
1658 J. Quarles Hist. Most Vile Dimagoras i. 29 He gaz'd, and then begun To start away, resolving to out-run The winged wind.
c. intransitive. Of an immaterial thing: to pass away, depart, dissipate; to come to nothing. Obsolete.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > be or become invisible [verb (intransitive)] > vanish or disappear
formeltc893
wendOE
witea1000
aworthc1000
fleec1200
fleetc1200
withdraw1297
vanish1303
voidc1374
unkithea1400
startc1405
disappearc1425
disparishc1425
to fall awayc1443
evanish?a1475
vade1495
sinka1500
vade1530
fly1535
fadea1538
melt?1567
dispear1600
relinquish1601
foist1603
dispersea1616
to vanish (melt, etc.) into thin aira1616
dissipate1626
retire1647
evaporate1713
merge1802
illude1820
to foam off1826
dislimn1833
furl1844
to step out1844
evanesce1855
shade1880
wisp1883
to go to the winds1884
walk1898
to do a disappearing act1913
to go west1916
to do (or take) a fade1949
to phase out1970
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go or move away specifically of things
forgoc950
worthOE
atgoc1175
alithec1275
withdraw1297
lenda1350
withgoa1400
to go farewellc1400
voidc1400
startc1405
overdrawa1450
recedec1450
sinkc1450
remove1481
regress1552
to-gang1596
elongate1646
abscede1650
discede1650
to take a walk1871
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 237 The lyf shal rather out of my body sterte Than Makometes lawe out of myn herte.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. iv. sig. Bv Who hopeth in gods helpe, his helpe can not sterte.
1558 W. Bullein Govt. Healthe sig. Avv Apoploxia and Vertigo, will neuer fro the starte, Vntill the vital blode, be killed in the harte.
1577 T. Kendall tr. Politianus et al. Flowers of Epigrammes f. 29v Leude is the loue that doeth not last, but startyng, taketh ende.
?1663 Come Turn to Mee (single sheet) It doth grieve my heart From thee for to part..Yet in the absence of a friend, my love shall never start.
d. transitive. To ride (a horse) at full speed. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride (a horse or other animal) [verb (transitive)] > ride (a horse) rapidly
runc1275
start1488
course1569
career1829
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 251 Till him he stert the courser wondyr wicht, Drew out a suerd, so maid hym for to lycht.
4. † d. intransitive. Of a commodity: to rise suddenly in price. Obsolete.
a. intransitive. Of an inanimate object or substance, esp. a liquid: to issue suddenly and with force; to fly, flow, or be projected by a sudden impulse. Frequently with out, out of, from.Sense 14 shows transitive use that may have been influenced by this sense.
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > suddenly
springeOE
outleaplOE
outspring?a1200
loukc1275
start?1316
bursta1325
to start outa1382
out-braida1400
sprentc1400
thringa1500
flush1548
flunge1582
protrude1626
explode1840
flounce1865
plunge1891
dartle1893
?1316 Short Metrical Chron. (Royal) (2002) l. 762 Þe blod also warm Hem starte out opon Ase hit were a quic mon.
c1425 tr. J. Arderne Treat. Fistula (Sloane 6) (1910) 77 In ȝettyng in þe liquore with þe clistery þe liquor alsone stirt out vpon þe handeȝ of þe leche.
1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) iii. viii. f. lvv They maden them for to hurtlen ageyn a pyler..so that..hit semed as theyr brayne sturt oute.
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 50 Than with a stew stert out the stoppell of my hals.
a1525 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1923) I. 269 He was slane..with a gwn that brak..and the wege stert out & slew him.
1602 A. Munday tr. 3rd Pt. Palmerin of Eng. lvii. f. 187 Getting off the barre, a little key started foorth.
a1629 T. Goffe Raging Turke (1631) i. iv. sig. C Oh how my guiltie blood Starts to my face, and proues my cause not good.
1671 J. Ray Let. 12 Sept. in H. Oldenburg Corr. (1971) VIII. 260 You shall see start out of many little holes or papillae into ye cavity of ye pipe a certain glutinous liquour.
1678 R. L'Estrange tr. Of Happy Life ix. 115 in Seneca's Morals Abstracted (1679) The Clawing of an Itch till the blood starts.
1702 C. Beaumont J. Beaumont's Psyche (new ed.) vii. clxxix. 99 She Seemd in that breast he suck'd alone to live: For thither leap'd her soul, and scarce could stop It self from sturting out with every drop.
1739 C. Labelye Short Acct. Piers Westm. Bridge 46 Some Springs unluckily starting in their Foundation, which they..could neither stop nor master.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus I. iii. 56 Over one edge..poured a small but beautiful cascade, starting from mass to mass of volcanic rock.
1832 D. Brewster Lett. Nat. Magic ii. 35 The chip of wax..had started into my eye when breaking the seal of a letter.
1875 Pop. Sci. Monthly Apr. 659 Seeing the globules of the new metal start through the crust of potash and catch fire on contact with the air.
1916 H. T. Comstock Vindication xx. 248 De Lesser broke in, the sweat starting on his face. ‘What you got to say, Vic? Speak it out, by gosh!’
1953 R. Macdonald Meet Me at Morgue (2010) iv. 38 Water started from the pores of his face.
2008 L. K. Hamilton Blood Noir 315 Blood started out of his mouth.
b. In various spec. uses.
(a) intransitive. Of the eyes: to burst out, escape from or out of their sockets, or the head. In later use chiefly hyperbolic, with reference to the goggling or staring of the eyes as an expression of horror, amazement, fury, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [verb (intransitive)] > by size, shape, etc.
starta1393
sparkle1594
startle1600
settle1615
pop1680
fever1820
largen1844
bug1868
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. l. 878 In tokne of that he was forswore, That he hath bothe hise yhen lore, Out of his hed the same stounde Thei sterte.
1526 R. Whitford tr. Martiloge 76 Of some theyr tongues rotted, & of some the eyes stert out of theyr hedes.
1582 W. W. True & Iust Recorde Witches sig. B8 At the sight thereof this examinat saith, yt her eies wer like to start out of her head.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. v. 17 I would a tale vnfold, whose lightest word Would..Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. i. 132 Why do you shew me this?—A fourth? Start eyes! View more context for this quotation
1677 Smithfield Jockey 26 He observes that not a part of him is free from trepidations, his eyes do stare and swell as if they were ready to start out of his head.
1709 J. Browne Ess. True Idea Fund. in Physick xiv. 110 The Face swells, grows tumid and red..the Eyes start out with Pain.
1763 M. Minifie & S. Gunning Hist. Lady Frances & Lady Caroline IV. 139 My eyes started from their orbits, every limb trembled with convulsive terror, when I beheld the exact portrait of my Ormsby.
1829 Ann. Reg. 1828 Law Cases 375/1 The eyes [of the murdered woman] were not started, nor did the tongue hang out.
1894 H. Caine Manxman v. vii. 304 Philip's bloodshot eyes seemed to be starting from his head.
1927 Amer. Mercury July 285/1 She goes to Worth's or Jenny's to buy a gown wherewith to make the eyes start out of the sockets.
1979 H. Hood Reservoir Ravine iv. 61 His eyes would almost start from his head.
1998 R. Parry Wolf's Pack (2001) xi. 137 His eyes started from his head. ‘It's gone!’ he gasped.
(b) intransitive. Of tears: to come suddenly to or into the eyes; to burst out suddenly; to well up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > lachrymal organs > flow [verb (transitive)] > of tears: rise suddenly to eyes
startc1430
c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1301 Therwith hise false terys out they sterte.
1662 Hist. Life M. Corbet in Speeches, Disc. & Prayers J. Barkstead, J. Okey & M. Corbet (new ed.) ii. 47 At which carriage of his Wife, though some tears were ready to start from his eyes, yet he conquered himself.
1663 J. D. tr. H. de Péréfixe de Beaumont Hist. Henry IV ii. 126 His heart was in such manner overburthened with grief, that the tears start out of his eyes.
1757 W. Wilkie Epigoniad v. 154 A flood of sorrow started to his eyes.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. x. x. 373 Tears started into her eyes, and trickled in large drops down her colourless cheeks.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II i. vi. 6 'Tis said, at times the sullen tear would start, But Pride congeal'd the drop within his ee.
1895 Temple Bar Mar. 377 ‘Ochone, ochone—the darlin' angel!’ cried Mrs. Mulhall, with sympathetic tears starting to her eyes.
1908 U. Sinclair Metropolis xix. 331 He saw her bosom heaving quickly, and saw the tears start into her eyes.
1972 A. Seton Green Darkness v. 155 The boy's face crimsoned, furious tears started to his eyes.
1996 L. Erdrich Tales of Burning Love 47 Tears started, blazed up suddenly behind her eyes.
2007 C. Clark Nature of Monsters xiii. 108 ‘Your lurid inventions have no place in this house.’ ‘Inventions!’ The tears started in my eyes.
(c) intransitive. Of a plant, bud, shoot, etc.: to spring up, to begin to emerge. Of a flower: to open. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > sprout forth or spring up
growc725
springOE
upspringc1000
sprouta1200
springa1225
risea1382
burgeon1382
burgea1387
to run upa1393
lance1393
bursta1400
launch1401
reke?1440
alighta1450
shoot1483
to come up?1523
start1587
to grow up1611
to come away1669
to break forth1675
upshoot1841
outgrow1861
sprinta1878
break1882
sprount1890
1587 A. Fraunce tr. T. Watson Lament. Amyntas xi. sig. D4v When he saw fresh flowres, and new grasse speedilie start vp,..Then did he stay and weepe with an inward horror amased.
1629 J. Parkinson Paradisi in Sole cxxxi. 454 Small long whitish greene heads..made as it were of many leaues or scales, out of which start forth small purplish flowers.
1657 E. Revett Poems 91 When as each [teardrop] fell..Some new flower starts, and latches it from earth.
a1680 T. Shipman Carolina (1683) 35 Tulips start from their Winter-beds, Unfolding their thick Coverlids.
1720 A. Ramsay Prospect of Plenty 225 A' the beauties o' the year Which start wi' ease frae the obedient soil.
1792 J. Wolcot Wks. P. Pindar (new ed.) I. 39 How like the heavy mountain, on whose side A daisy starts in solitary pride!
1820 P. B. Shelley Sensitive Plant in Prometheus Unbound 169 And agarics and fungi..Started like mist from the wet ground cold.
1833 New Eng. Farmer 23 Jan. 217/2 Lest the caustic quality of the lime should prove injurious to the tender plant when it first started from the soil.
1905 Garden 3 June 332/2 Quite a number of young shoots started, and these were stopped all round.
1968 Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 93 229 With no artificial chilling and 115 hr natural chilling, buds started with 49 days warming.
c. intransitive. figurative. To emerge more or less suddenly into existence, prominence, etc.; to become apparent. See also to start out 3 at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with urgent speed
rempeOE
fuseOE
rakeOE
hiec1175
i-fusec1275
rekec1275
hastec1300
pellc1300
platc1300
startc1300
buskc1330
rapc1330
rapec1330
skip1338
firk1340
chase1377
raikc1390
to hie one's waya1400
catchc1400
start?a1505
spur1513
hasten1534
to make speed1548
post1553
hurry1602
scud1602
curry1608
to put on?1611
properate1623
post-haste1628
whirryc1630
dust1650
kite1854
to get a move on1888
to hump it1888
belt1890
to get (or put) one's skates on1895
hotfoot1896
to rattle one's dags1968
shimmy1969
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid 538 in Poems (1981) 128 Quhen Cresseid vnderstude that it was he, Stiffer than steill thair stert ane bitter stound.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. vi. sig. R4 Not suffering the least twinckling sleepe to start Into her eye,..But if the least appear'd, her eyes she streight reprieued. View more context for this quotation
a1639 H. Wotton Philos. Surv. Educ. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 329 Those more solid and conclusive Characters, which..are emergent from the Minde; and which oftentimes do start out of Children when themselves least think of it.
1655 N. Hardy Epit. Godly Man 19 If covetousnesse be knocked down, lust riseth up; if lust be quelled, pride starteth forth.
1729 E. S. Rowe Lett. Moral & Entertaining ix, in Lett. Var. Occasions 78 Those great Realities, which in the Hours of Mirth and Vanity I have treated as Phantoms..; these start forth, and dare me now in their most terrible Demonstration.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 19 Fear, pity, justice, indignation start.
1817 J. Keats I stood Tip-toe 26 I was light-hearted, And many pleasures to my vision started.
1833 J. H. Newman Arians 4th Cent. vi. 400 Controversies were for ever starting into existence among the Greek Christians.
1880 Shamrock 12 June 595/1 The remembrance of Davie and the Kitten's consultation started into my mind.
1916 J. Joyce Portrait of Artist ii. 86 All day the stream of gloomy tenderness within him had started forth and returned upon itself in dark courses and eddies.
1939 C. S. Lewis in M. Black Importance of Lang. (1962) 37 A new metaphor simply starts forth, under the pressure of composition or argument.
1945 ‘M. Innes’ Appleby's End viii. 55 Appleby shifted his gaze from the Old Stone Age Man to a rapturous Sabine lady, and suddenly quite a new idea started into his head.
1999 A. Chamberlin Merlin of St. Gilles' Well xxxi. 309 The scars started vividly in his face, across his twisted hands, and up his bony arms.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [verb (intransitive)] > rise (of prices) > suddenly or rapidly
starta1661
zoom1928
soar1929
rocket1931
to take off1935
to go through the roof1958
shoot1968
1577 J. Dee Gen. Mem. Arte Nauig. 32 As though, it were a iust occasion, of prices of Corn and vittayles starting vp.]
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Essex 318 No commodity starteth so soon and sinketh so suddainly in the price.
1748 G. G. Beekman Let. 23 Aug. in Beekman Mercantile Papers (1956) I. 58 Rum is Started again and Pretty Quick at the Price on foot but markts are so Precarious that In short I am afraid and I cannot advice you what to Send.
1767 T. Hutchinson Hist. Province Massachusetts-Bay, 1691–1750 (1795) II. ii. 174 The extravagant price to which provisions had started.
a. intransitive. To flee, run away. Obsolete (English regional (chiefly south-western) and Irish English in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > run away or flee
fleec825
afleeeOE
atrina1000
atfleec1000
to run awayOE
to turn to or into flighta1225
to turn the ridgec1225
atrenc1275
atshakec1275
to give backa1300
flemec1300
startc1330
to take (on oneself) the flighta1500
to take the back upon oneselfa1500
fly1523
to take (also betake) (oneself) to one's legs1530
to flee one's way1535
to take to one's heels1548
flought?1567
fuge1573
to turn taila1586
to run off1628
to take flighta1639
refugea1641
to run for it1642
to take leg1740
to give (also take) leg-bail1751
bail1775
sherry1788
to pull foot1792
fugitate1830
to tail off (out)1830
to take to flight1840
to break (strike, etc.) for (the) tall timber1845
guy1879
to give leg (or legs)1883
rabbit1887
to do a guy1889
high-tail1908
to have it on one's toes1958
c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 7281 He wald him wreke anon riȝt Ac it was almost þo niȝt, Ac, to eke þat, fele of our Were wiþinne walle and bour And oueralle stert him fro Þat he no miȝt comen hem to.
c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 2305 (MED) Philot hym ȝaf anoþere dabbe..Negussar so from hym sterte.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xx. l. 297 Þre þynges þer beoþ þat doþ a man to sterte Out of is [emended in ed. to his] owene houe [read hous]..a wikkede wif..reyne in [emended in ed. to on] hus bedde..smoke and smorþre..in hus eyen.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vi. 632 The twa that saw sa suddanly Thair fallow fall, effrayit var, And stert a litill ouirmair.
1870 F. Kilvert Diary 18 Nov. (1944) 88 A big girl had..run away from her place (‘started’, as they call it) and come home in this fashion, i.e. in the family way.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. 710 They zess how Jim Brown's a-started an' let' is wive 'm chillern 'pon the parish.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. 717 Zo Tom Saffin's a-started, idn 'er? Ees, an' time vor-n to; why he stold a sheep vrom Mr. Lutley to Harts, an' there's a warrant out vor-n.
1907 J. M. Synge Playboy of Western World iii. 67 Pegeen. You've right daring to go ask me that, when all knows you 'll be starting to some girl in your own townland, when your father 's rotten in four months, or five. Christy. Starting from you, is it?
b. intransitive. To escape. Also transitive: to escape from, elude; to escape the notice of. Cf. astart v. 3a, 4. Obsolete.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [verb (intransitive)]
atfareOE
atcomec1220
atstertc1220
atrouta1250
ascape1250
astart1250
atblenchc1275
scapec1275
aschapec1300
fleec1300
ofscapea1325
escapec1330
overfleea1382
to get awaya1400
slipa1400
starta1400
skiftc1440
eschewc1450
withstartec1460
rida1470
chape1489
to flee (one's) touch?1515
evadea1522
betwynde?1534
to make out1558
outscape1562
outslip1600
to come off1630
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > escape from [verb (transitive)]
atwendOE
atwindc1000
overfleeOE
to come out of ——lOE
atstertc1220
atbreak?c1225
aschapea1300
scapea1300
aslipc1325
escape1340
atscapea1350
astartc1374
to wade out ofc1386
starta1400
withscapea1400
withslipa1400
atwapec1400
to get out of ——a1470
evite1503
outstart1513
to get from ——1530
rid1615
skip1630
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7168 Vte o þair handes son he stert.
c1430 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1868) l. 1592 Þow þat I no wepene haue in þis place But out of prisoun am styrt [c1405 Hengwrt astert, c1415 Lansd. asterte, c1425 Petworth I-stert] by grace.
a1450 (?1420) J. Lydgate Temple of Glas (Tanner) (1891) l. 584 Fro þe deþ, I trow, I mai not stert.
c1460 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 292 (MED) Lord, þi iugement we may not sterte.
c1500 in Anglia (1955) 72 415 I pray also..O lady reuerent, That in thys book yef ought amys me stert, Ye me excuse.
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) xx. 7 Take with the payne..And eke the flame from which I cannot stert.
1569 E. Elviden Closet of Counsells f. 66 How much more wretched misers they which serue their vice and sinne: From whom they cannot start nor flie, but fastned are therein.
1622 J. Taylor Water-cormorant sig. E2 And thence [sc. from the jail] he gets not, there he shall not start, Till the last drop of blood's wrong from his heart.
6. † b. intransitive. figurative. To shrink from or balk at some action or prospect. Chiefly with from. Obsolete.In early use also with infinitive as complement.
a.
(a) intransitive. To make a sudden movement, esp. of part of one's body, as to avoid a blow or perceived threat; to flinch or recoil from something in alarm or repugnance. Chiefly with from or with adverbs (as aback, aside, away, back, etc.). Also with the part of the body as subject.
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > make sudden movement [verb (intransitive)] > to avoid a danger
startc1330
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [verb (intransitive)] > escape from threat
swip?c1225
startc1330
to miss of ——a1665
to get out (stand, etc.) from under1861
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 2977 As ganhardin stert oway, His heued he brac þo, As he fleiȝe.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2286 (MED) I schal stonde þe a strok & start no more Til þyn ax haue me hitte.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xiv. 328 He toke a staff, & caste it after Estorfawde, but Estorfawd sterte from his place.
a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 226 And anon þe fend was aferd, and starte on bakke.
?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 47 Scho suld not stert for his straik a stray breid of erd.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 733/2 I starte asyde, as one dothe that shrinketh with his bodye when he seeth a daunger towardes.
1568 (a1500) Freiris Berwik 544 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1930) IV. 277 Wt that freir robert stert abak & saw [etc.].
1679 J. Dryden & N. Lee Oedipus i. 5 Nature her self start back when thou wert born.
1698 W. Chilcot Pract. Treat. Evil Thoughts iv. 96 Like a Man that accidentally treads upon an Adder, starts back immediately, and strives to make no more approaches to it.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lxiv. 305 I sprung forward to embrace him. He started aside with great agility.
1781 H. Smythson Compl. Family Physician ix. v. 665/2 It was with the utmost difficulty that the medicine was administered, her head starting violently back when an attempt was made to give it.
1831 W. Scott Castle Dangerous vii*, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. IV. 207 The horse, too, upon which the lady rode, started back.
1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xiii. 113 Mr. Thumble started back, appalled at the energy of the words used to him.
1912 J. Farnol My Lady Caprice (new ed.) iv. 137 With a sudden exclamation Lisbeth started from me and gathered up her skirts to run.
1921 C. A. Seltzer ‘Beau’ Rand xxxi. 265 She started back, rising to her feet, a presentiment of evil chilling her blood.
1985 W. Gaddis Carpenter's Gothic (1999) 196 They started aside from his burst back through the kitchen.
2000 N.Y. Times Mag. 14 May 96/2 Suddenly a paintball bullet hit the window with a dull thud. I started back.
(b) intransitive. Of a horse: to shy; to swerve suddenly from its course in fright or alarm; to bolt (also with adverbs, as aside, astray, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > shy
start?a1513
skeigh1513
startle1576
flounder1592
shy1796
scotch1832
nap1953
starter pack1955
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 155 His birnes brak and maid ane brattill, The sowtaris hors start with the rattill.
1602 A. Munday tr. 3rd Pt. Palmerin of Eng. liii. f. 166 His Squires Horse had started astray, at the first affrighting of the garboyle, and hee was not yet returned with him.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Richard III (1623) iii. iv. 85 Three times to day my Foot-Cloth-Horse did stumble, And started [earlier eds. startled], when he look'd vpon the Tower.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 136 In the heat of the fight they [sc. the horses] should start aside, affrighted.
1690 R. Meeke Diary 17 Nov. (1874) 31 As I rode home my horse starting at a stoop in the way, gave me a fall.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. iii. 52 The Horses..were no longer shy, but would come up to my very Feet without starting.
1764 T. Bridges Homer Travestie II. 19 With such a rattle from the cart He fell as made the horses start.
1847 C. J. Lever Knight of Gwynne xviii. 131 He [sc. a horse] starts, or shies, or something of that sort—don't he?
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. v. 360 His fiery steeds Started aside with fright.
1920 M. Symonds Child of Alps xxii. 270 His horse gave a sudden leap and started aside, nearly capsizing the overloaded vehicle.
1980 K. Amis Russ. Hide & Seek xx. 210 All the horses started violently and Lyubimov's pack-horse reared for a second or two.
2003 S. Hale Goose Girl (2005) ii. 28 The mare started at his leap but did not move away from the king.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > avoid > shrink or recoil
wondec897
blencha1250
shunta1250
scurnc1325
blenka1330
blinka1400
startc1400
shrink1508
blanch1572
swerve1573
shruga1577
flinch1578
recoil1582
budgea1616
shucka1620
smay1632
blunk1655
shudder1668
resile1678
skew1678
reluctate1833
c1400 J. Wyclif On the Seven Deadly Sins (Bodl. 647) in Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 141 On sex maners may a mon consente [to sin]..He consentis..þat counseils þerto, and he þat approves hit; and he þat is stille to helpe men ageynes hit, and he þat stirtis [c1400 Douce sturtis] o bac for to reprehende hit.
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 3355 Þe Jeves..Dressyd þe drynke, eysyl and galle; It to taste þou myth nowth styrt.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 113 (MED) Atte the dredfull day, he woll axe acomptes, where as there shall none sterte to yelde ansuere.
1583 A. Marten tr. P. M. Vermigli Common Places ii. ix. 411/1 There remaineth another knowledge of euill..: that dooth the hart eschew, & euidentlie enough starteth from it.
?1606 M. Drayton To Camber-Britans in Poemes Lyrick & Pastorall sig. C6v None from his death now starts, but..like true English harts, stuck close together.
1701 J. Norris Ess. Ideal World I. ii. 17 Even the men that talk at this rate shall presently start from it as from a bugbear or apparition.
1764 J. Boswell Jrnl. 20 Oct. in Boswell on Grand Tour (1953) I. 143 My heart then starts back from an alliance, and rests contracted within itself.
1861 Mrs. H. Wood Shadow of Ashlydyat i. ii There ensued a proposal to knight him. He started from it with aversion.
1920 H. G. Woodworth In Shadow of Lantern Street xxiv. 199 As one just waking to discover his own dishonor, starting back from the revelation.
7.
a. Hunting.
(a) transitive. To drive (an animal) to leave its lair or place of refuge.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > drive from lair or cover
starta1393
raisec1425
to put upa1475
rear1486
uprear1486
to start out1519
rouse1531
uncouch?a1562
to den outa1604
dislodge1632
tufta1640
draw1781
jump1836
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 372 (MED) The liknesse Sche made him taken of an Hert, Which was tofore hise houndes stert.
c1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Vesp. B.xii) (1904) 66 Þei [sc. hounds] goon bi fore hure maistre..and reyson or sterten foules and wild beestis.
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 681 But as a blende man stert an hare.
a1500 Treat. Hunting (Cambr. Ll.1.18) (1987) 48 Yff þi houndez haue founde an hare..and on him astynt, [and] a fresh hare es start afore hem, hit byhoueth to dryve þe hare.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie xxxvii. 100 An Hart started, and a Fox vnkennelled.
1595 W. S. Lamentable Trag. Locrine v. iv. 31 What, is the tigre started from his caue?
1609 T. Ravenscroft Deuteromelia 21 This other day I start a hare On what-call Hill.
1659 N. R. Proverbs 73 Little dogs start the hare, the great one gets her.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. vii. iii. 23 The Squire, however, sent after his Sister the same Holla which attends the Departure of a Hare, when she is first started before the Hounds. View more context for this quotation
1769 E. Bancroft Ess. Nat. Hist. Guiana 177 They..when started, fly with a loud noise.
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. xxiii. 833 If A. start a hare in the ground of B., and hunt and kill it there.
1850 R. Gordon-Cumming Five Years Hunter's Life S. Afr. I. x. 224 Shortly before outspanning we started three leopards that were consuming a duiker.
1883 Cent. Mag. Oct. 923/2 For a week or two at a time, the meadows may be worked over without starting a bird.
1910 Hunter-Trader-Trapper Mar. 58/2 We had not gone far when we started a deer out of a fallen tree top.
1970 Field & Stream Jan. 71/1 Several days later..the young hound started a hare at that very same place at the end of the gulley.
2012 Parry Sound (Ontario) North Star (Nexis) 5 Dec. 1 We..split up to walk the ridges hoping to start a deer out of an intervening gully.
(b) intransitive. Of an animal: to emerge, esp. suddenly, from its lair or place of refuge. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > action of game > [verb (intransitive)]
to stand, be (abide obs.) at bayc1314
to steal awayc1369
stalla1425
starta1425
rusec1425
beatc1470
lodgec1470
trason1486
rouse1532
angle1575
bolt1575
to take squat1583
baya1657
watch1677
fall1697
tree1699
to go away1755
to sink the wind1776
to get up1787
to go to ground1797
lie1797
to stand up1891
fly1897
a1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Digby) xxxiii. 99 To se if þe deer þat is herbowrede wolde sterte and steele away or þe lymer meved hym.
a1500 in N. Davis Non-Cycle Plays & Fragm. (1970) 122 In þe hore hethys I se the hare sterte, The forant dere huntyd, the bukke and the harte.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lix. 164 As soone as euer she [sc. the hare] hearde the horne, she starte.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xi. 248 When as after a long questing and beating for some game, the beast doth sodainely start, or rowze vp before vs.
1714 T. Tyldesley Diary (1873) 172 Mopey seated us a hare wh beet us ffor 3 howrs, but a fresh on started and savd her life.
1774 J. Wesley Jrnl. 31 July in Extract of Jrnl. (1791) XVII. 30 In the morning, a Gentleman going a hunting, a hare started up just before the hounds, ran strait to the mouth of the pit, and was gone.
1790 tr. J.-B.-B. de Lesseps Trav. Kamtschatka II. 293 The next moment a beautiful rein deer started fifteen paces before me, but my gun not being charged, it escaped.
1857 G. F. Pardon Dogs xiii. 128 The whole pack was at fault soon after the stag started, and the chase was taken up and continued by only a couple of hounds.
1900 G. M. K. Elliott Fifty Years' Fox-hunting iv. 24 In ten minutes this fox started, and ran an eight mile point without touching a covert.
1968 G. Maxwell Raven seek thy Brother xii. 156 The hare started twenty yards ahead, pure white against the background of dark heather.
1982 J. W. Thomas tr. Hartmann von Aue Erec 53 The fields were completely emptied of game: if a hare started up, it was his last race.
2002 Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 24 May (Travel section) 8 Later, a hare starts up. The eagle is after it in a flash, but it bolts into a rock hole.
b. transitive. figurative and in extended use.In later use frequently in to start a hare: to put an idea in circulation, to set an argument going. See also sense 12.
Π
1583 Answeare Def. Censure Charkes Bk. f. 13v If some Anabaptist or Heretike..haue started out such books out of their owne dennes.
1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet sig. B4 (margin) The knaue was started from his Fourme.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 100 If we be not altogether ignorant of our selves, and wilfully blinde,..we can not choose but start and finde out a flatterer.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. ii. 167 Do but start An eccho with the clamor of thy drumme. View more context for this quotation
1651 E. Willan 6 Serm. 23 When the Judge hath put the old, and tyred quarrells to their Squatts, let no one start them againe, to be hunted from Court to Court.
1698 E. Settle Farther Def. Dramatick Poetry 16 Our Diminitive Love-broker has no more Hand in the Affair, then meer starting the Game.
1716 B. Church Entertaining Passages Philip's War i. 12 They had not March'd above a quarter of a Mile before they started Three of the Enemy.
a1763 W. Shenstone Wks. Verse & Prose (1764) I. 58 We start false joys, and urge the devious race.
1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 693 Learn'd philologists, who chase A panting syllable through time and space, Start it at home, and hunt it in the dark.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xix. 27 The dogs bayed and howled, and we rode and scampered, and finally we started him [sc. a hunted man].
1881 H. D. Miles Pugilistica III. iv. 177 A new beak was started from his lair on the road, in the form of a Royston banker, who peremptorily said it should be ‘no go’.
1895 R. W. Macan in Herodotus Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Bks. I. 205/2 It looks as if Wesseling had started this hare by a lapsus memoriae.
1906 Bookman Dec. 107/1 This problem was merely started from its lair by J. R. Green.
1956 H. Macmillan Diary 16 Jan. (2003) 527 A large number of very expert papers have been written on all the ‘hares’ which I started in this, or in ‘More Thoughts’.
1973 P. Kivy Speaking of Art iv. 76 Some hidden reality which we have gradually been getting closer to and which the physicist has at long last started from its lair.
2004 Times Lit. Suppl. 10 Sept. 19/4 Other hares that were started in the first book are chased down with similar efficiency, and varying degrees of success.
8.
a. intransitive. To undergo a sudden involuntary movement of the body, resulting from surprise, fright, sudden pain, etc.; (sometimes without implication of actual movement) to feel startled or momentarily perturbed, as at a sudden realization.
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > make sudden movement [verb (intransitive)] > as result of emotion
startc1405
startle1530
jump1715
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > happen or move unexpectedly [verb (intransitive)] > act with surprise
abash?c1400
startc1405
startle1576
to raise one's eyebrow(s) (or an eyebrow)1849
to jump (also leap) out of one's skin1860
gloppen-
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 904 Pitee renneth soone in gentil herte..thogh he first for Ire quook and sterte.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 476 Styrtyn, or sodenly mevyn, Impeto.
?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Bvv Thenne I astonyed of that sodeyne fraye Sterte all at ones.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 735/1 I sterte, I styrre, as one dothe for feare.
1590 Tarltons Newes out of Purgatorie To Rdrs. So fareth it with mee, for neuer before beeing in print I start at the sight of the Presse.
a1592 T. Watson Poems (1870) 201 Which hauing seene as one agast shee start.
1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor v. v. 84 And that he starteth at the flame, Then is he mortall.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iii. ii. 114 Some strange Commotion Is in his braine: He bites his lip, and starts . View more context for this quotation
1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur ii. 49 He starts at every Noise.
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 20 Hold up your Head, Girl;..(—Miss starts—).
1743 R. Blair Grave 36 Then why, like ill-condition'd Children, Start we at transient Hardships?
1792 A. Waugh Let. in J. Hay & H. Belfrage Mem. (1830) v. 406 My mind was transported back to the scenes of infancy and youth, and I started at the thought that I was a man, had a family, and [etc.].
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein III. vi. 154 It is by giving fair names to foul actions, that those who would start at real vice are led to practise its lessons.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate II. iii. 73 Will Belton started so violently, and assumed on a sudden so manifest a look of anger, [etc.].
1906 C. Mansfield Girl & Gods xi Margaret started guiltily as though detected in an indecency.
1924 ‘J. Sutherland’ Circle of Stars xxiii. 232 At every footstep he started... Indeed he was so unlike himself that even Barbara commented upon his nerviness.
1988 J. McNaught Something Wonderful xvi. 177 Alexandra started at the realization that Tony was aware of her lack of popularity.
2003 T. Clancy Teeth of Tiger (2004) 19 The glass vase shattered loudly on the wooden floor. The subject started violently.
b. transitive. To cause to start or flinch; to startle. Now somewhat rare. Sc. National Dict. records this sense as still in widespread use in Scotland in 1971.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > cause to move suddenly [verb (transitive)]
braidOE
startc1440
startle1576
spring1665
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > surprise, astonish [verb (transitive)] > startle
startc1440
rouse1583
startle1598
jolt1872
jump1898
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > causing physical symptoms > cause physical symptoms [verb (transitive)] > cause to start or flinch
startc1440
abraid1590
startle1598
gally1608
surprise1655
upstartlea1849
to get, have or give (someone) a skrik1887
upstart1892
jump1898
c1440 (a1396) R. Maidstone Paraphr. Seven Penitential Psalms (Pierpont Morgan) in F. S. Ellis Psalmi Penitentiales (1894) 31 Ther was no scorn, spotul, ne speche, Despit, ne stroke, that him sterte.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 241 Quhen a man or beste js sudaynly stert, thair naturale jnclinacioun gevis thame of thair complexioun to a brethe.
1597 Bp. J. King Lect. Ionas vi. 92 Do you tarry to bee started with the shrillest trumpet that ever blew?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. i. 102 And now..dost thou come To start my quiet? View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) v. iii. 236 You boggle shrewdly, euery feather starts you. View more context for this quotation
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iii. iv, (stage direct.) in Wks. II He is started with Broker's comming back.
1706 R. Estcourt Fair Example iv. i. 43 'Twill heighten my Revenge, when she thinks I come to make fresh Offers of my Love, to start her with Neglect and Scorn.
1756 M. Calderwood Lett. & Jrnls. (1884) ix. 247 What started me most was the bare plaister wall.
1823 W. Scott Peveril III. ii. 32 If my news have not frightened away Lance Outram too, whom they used to say nothing could start.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxv. 22 Soon as a mother's step starts her.
1891 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Sydney-side Saxon vi. 99 Blast that infernal horse! A goanna started him, and he set to and kicked the front of the buggy in.
1903 Brooklyn Daily Eagle 5 Jan. 1/1 The noise started his horse and it dashed away at a gallop.
1915 J. Wilson Lowland Sc. Lower Strathearn 98 I was kind o ill about it—startin the cratur.
1921 Kentucky Standard 15 Sept. I was very nervous. The least noise started me.
9.
a.
(a) intransitive. To awake abruptly out of (also from, †out) sleep, a daze, etc.; to come awake with a start. Cf. to start up 1a at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > be or remain awake [verb (intransitive)] > become awake > suddenly or with a start
abraidOE
startc1405
reacha1500
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1060 She ferde, as she had stirt out of a sleep.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 68 (MED) For the fere that the Ermite hadde, he sterte and waked oute of his auisyon.
?1567 Merie Tales Master Skelton sig. Cviv The priest, hearyng the bell tolle, starte oute of his slepe.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades x. 176 He starteth out his sleepe, and vp to them he thus began.
1591 R. Greene Maidens Dreame sig. C3v The people shouted such a screame: That I awooke and start out of my dreame.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxiv. 612 This said, the king (affraid) Start from his sleepe.
1693 Oxford-act i. 2 Oft wou'd the new created Sophister Where Boy cry'd, want ye any Coffee, Sir? Start from brown-study.
1737 S. Berington Mem. G. di Lucca 56 I started out of my Reveries as if I had awak'd from a real Dream.
a1767 M. Bruce Poems (1770) 43 Strait all the chatt'ring tribe obey, Start from their trance and wing away.
1807 Edinb. Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 3 141 It is seldom that she can get rest for five seconds without starting awake.
1856 C. J. Andersson Lake Ngami xxxi. 416 The whole herd..trumpeted so shrilly as to cause every man at the camp..to start out of his sleep.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay vii. 104 ‘Yes,’ he exclaimed, starting from his thoughts, ‘I have heard, but..not taken in the sense of what you have been saying.’
1922 H. Oyen Tarrant of Tin Spout vii. 60 Tarrant started from his dreams as a man seated himself in the next chair and boomed the words into his ear.
1977 F. Herbert Dosadi Exper. 183 Some people starting from sleep not knowing (perhaps not caring) what had awakened them.
1989 P. O'Brian Thirteen Gun Salute (1992) v. 164 He started out of his reverie.
2011 Daily Monitor (Kampala) (Nexis) 4 Dec. I..chuckled when they started awake and looked confused for a few minutes before figuring out where they were.
(b) transitive. To awaken (a person) out of sleep, a daze, etc., esp. abruptly or with a start.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > state of being awake > wake or rouse [verb (transitive)]
wecchec897
aweccheeOE
wakenc1175
awake?c1225
upwakea1325
wakec1369
ruthec1400
daw1470
awaken1513
to stir up1526
dawn1530
to call up1548
unsleep1555
rouse1563
abraid1590
amove1591
arousea1616
dissleep1616
expergefy1623
start?1624
to rouse out1825
?1624 G. Chapman tr. Hymn to Venus in tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 100 Then she rous'd him from his rest; and said; Vp (my Dardanides) forsake thy bed... This started him from sleepe.
1753 J. Collier Art Tormenting (1811) i. i. 33 She made such a noise as to start you suddenly out of your sleep.
1799 T. Campbell Pleasures of Hope & Other Poems ii. 349 How can thy words from balmy slumber start Reposing Virtue, pillow'd on the heart!
1834 Monthly Traveller Apr. 153/1 The roar of a falling tree, in the solitude of the forest, started him from his slumbers.
1840 M. E. Lee Social Evenings 216 When, at last, he shook off these troublesome fancies, and sunk into a deep sleep, he was started by a loud, thrilling cry.
1916 Munsey's Mag. Feb. 177/2 Bessie reached Mather's side and touched his arm, starting him from a trancelike study of Mrs. Barbour's eyes.
2004 F. Shen Gang of One xviii. 135 I was started from my sleep by the sound of loud and very hurried steps in the hall.
b. intransitive. To come suddenly, or with a start, into (formerly †in) a particular state or condition; to fly into a rage, burst into life, etc.; (also) to go suddenly out of one's wits. Formerly also with †off. Now rare (in later use coloured by senses in branch II.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > take on or reach a state or condition [verb (transitive)] > suddenly
startc1430
c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer Legend Good Women (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 660 And for dispeyr out of his wit he sterte.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 91 He stithely astonyt stert into yre.
1602 Kyd's Spanish Trag. (new ed.) iii. sig. H2 Starting in a rage.
1644 W. Strode Serm. Death & Resurrection 14 Divers imperfect bodies, which yesterday lay labouring in some deep puddle, now start into Life.
1682 J. Banks Unhappy Favourite v. i. 61 So on a sudden started into Passion The furious Earl.
1731 M. Pilkington Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 49 Whence can Paint assume such Grace To animate the mimick Face? That Face, where all that's good, and wise Starts into Life.
1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 550 His horse..Snorting, and starting into sudden rage.
1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 199 When all creation started into birth.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. ix. 168 I have sometimes known her argue..with acuteness, and then, in a moment, start off into madness.
1802 Noble Wanderers I. 51 When kindred minds meet..they instantly start into amity, and become incorporated in affection.
1816 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto III lxxxvii. 48 At intervals, some bird from out the brakes, Starts into voice a moment, then is still.
1835 C. C. Clarke Riches of Chaucer II. 101 Out of his wit to braid, madly disposed to start out of his senses.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters ix. 217 The characters start into light, life, and identity.
1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers viii. 208 Suddenly he started into life. It made her quiver almost with terror as he quickly pushed the hair off his forehead and came towards her.
1932 N.Y. Amsterdam News 11 May 13/2 When he started into action he was like a Mack truck plowing through the mud.
ΘΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose [verb (intransitive)] > withdraw from an engagement or promise
starta1450
fang1522
recidivate1528
to draw back1572
flinch1578
to shrink collar1579
retract1616
to shrink out of the collar1636
renege1651
to fly off1667
to slip (the) collarc1677
to declare off1749
to cry off1775
to back out1807
to fight off1833
crawfish1848
welsh1871
to pull out1884
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose [verb (intransitive)] > desert one's party or principles
declinec1374
starta1450
revert?a1525
to fall away1535
to turn (one's) tippet1546
revolt1549
shrink1553
to turn one's coat1565
to come over1576
apostate1596
to change (one's) sides1596
defect1596
renegade1611
to change foot1618
to run over1643
to face about1645
apostatize1648
tergiverse1675
tergiversate1678
desert1689
apostasize1696
renegado1731
rat1810
to cross the floor1822
turncoat1892
to take (the) soup1907
turn1977
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > run away or flee > desert one's place or position
outrage1447
startc1540
desert1689
to take water1846
a1450 (a1401) Chastising of God's Children (Bodl.) (1957) 120 (MED) Sum tyme sharpli he smyteþ to kepe in his children, þat þei shul nat stirt abrode fro þe scole of loue.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 97 If any stert vpon stray strike hom to dethe.
1542 Ld. Lisle Let. in P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. (1864) III. 5 (note) He durst not move the matter as yet to none of them; for if he shuld, he is sure they wolde starte from them.
1556 J. Olde tr. R. Gwalther Antichrist f. 199v He commaundeth us..not to starte fro them [sc. the scriptures] one ynche.
1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Matius in Panoplie Epist. 114 Neither wil I yeald so farre to the inuasions of feare, as to revolt and start back from my professed humanitie.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades iv. 67 That we abate the Troyan glorious pride, By which, and by their arrogance from stricken pact they start.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre ii. xxv. 76 But here Baronius, who hitherto had leaned on Tyrius his authority, now starteth from it.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea (title page) Go on (great State) and make it known Thou never wilt forsake thine own, nor from thy purpose start.
1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim xviii. 176 The greedy humour of the world, who catch at all that presents it self, though they start out of their way to get it.
1750 C. Stokes Diligence & Courage 11 If ever the Influence of great People should beset him, he never starts from his Duty.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 235 No—nature unsophisticate by man, Starts not aside from her Creator's plan.
1823 C. Speece Mountaineer (new ed.) 7 It will be impossible to attract and to fix the attention of the public; especially of the young, who are so apt to start aside from every thing serious.
1875 Gospel Herald 6 195 Every one of the children of Israel was so situated that he could not start from his present standing and straightway believe in Christ. There must first be a fall.
1910 A. D. Sedgwick Franklin Winslow Kane xiv. 155 If he could see that it was the end he would, she knew, start back from his shallow project.
11. † d. transitive. Mining. To cause an abrupt discontinuity or shift in (a vein). Obsolete.
a. intransitive. Of the hair: to stick out or up. Cf. to start out 3 at Phrasal verbs 1, to start up 1b at Phrasal verbs 1, starting adj. 2. Now rare. Sc. National Dict. (at cited word) records the sense as still in use in Lanarkshire and Selkirkshire in 1971.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > horripilation > [verb (intransitive)]
bristle1480
to stick upa1500
to stand or start widdershins1513
upstart1513
starta1522
stare?1523
to start up1553
rousea1616
horripilate1623
stiver1790
uprise1827
upstare1886
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) ii. xii. 26 Abasyt I wolx, and widdyrsyns start my hayr [L. steteruntque comae].
1612 N. Field Woman a Weather-cocke ii. sig. D2 T'would make your short haire start through your blacke Cap, should you but heare it.
1727 Trav. Several Remote Nations Introd. 17 My Hair started as I had seen a Goblin.
1776 W. Mason Eng. Garden ii. 26 Their rude locks start from their brow.
1806 J. Barrow Voy. Cochinchina ix. 247 A few clotted locks of grey hair started from under a dirty handkerchief which was bound round his head.
1876 Godey's Lady's Bk. Dec. 524/1 She..could feel the hair starting on her head.
1947 in Sc. National Dict. (1974) IX. 9/2 [Selkirkshire] His face a' streekit and his hair stertin'.
b. intransitive. To come loose or break away; to be displaced due to pressure or shrinkage. Of a part of a ship, esp. a rivet or plank: to rupture or buckle. See also to start out 3 at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > become displaced [verb (intransitive)] > by pressure or shrinkage
start1526
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > loosening or unfastening > be loosened, unfastened, or undone [verb (intransitive)] > become loosely attached
start1526
loosen1678
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. ci The hopes kepeth faste the bordes of the vessell, that they disseuer nat, and holdeth in the endes yt the start nat.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Ciii/1 To Starte, dissilire.
1631 B. Jonson New Inne ii. vi. 221 The best bow may start, And th' hand may vary.
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 302 Drawing and straining the Skin tighter, he drives in..Nails..to keep the Skin from starting as it Dries.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. ii. 317 A but-end or a plank might start, and we might go down immediately.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §318 The mortar in the joints had started.
1818 H. Parry Art of Bookbinding 12 The book must not be put to the fire to dry, as that would cause the foldings to start.
1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding i. 11 Just as the ship floated several rivets started again.
1912 Westm. Gaz. 17 Apr. 10/1 The force of the shock was so tremendous that the ‘Titanic’ started in every joint.
1983 J. Winton Convoy xiii. 174 Lights went out, hull rivets started, the whole boat rocked and pitched under the impact of the detonations.
2006 P. Kearney This Forsaken Earth ii. 24 The leak is plugged for now, skipper; a couple of planks started.
c. transitive. To cause (a thing) to break away from its place; to displace by pressure or strain. Of a ship: to undergo the displacement or giving way of (a plank, rivet, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)]
stira1000
unsheathec1374
removea1398
shifta1400
disroom1489
supplant1534
unplacec1550
displace1552
unperch1578
dislodge1579
unsiege1594
disnest1596
unroost1598
unset1602
unseat1611
dis-element1612
dishabita1616
dislocate1623
disroota1625
disseata1625
rede1638
discardinate1648
disturb1664
disblock1665
start1676
uproot1695
disrest1696
disconcert1744
disannul1794
deplace1839
delocalize1855
disembed1885
disniche1889
1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. vii. iv. 485 Another having by accident of a Fall in wrastling started the end of the Clavicle from the Sternon.
1711 W. Sutherland Ship-builders Assistant 46 Which may be of dangerous consequence..in starting the But.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. iii. 24 The ship in rolling..started the butt ends of her planking.
1839 F. Marryat Phantom Ship I. xii. 286 She had started one of her planks, and filled.
1840 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 3 137/2 The damage she sustained was trifling,..not a rivet was started.
1901 N.Y. Times 16 Aug. 3/5 The only break or damage that could be seen on the boat after her long journey, was a rivet which had been started on frame twenty-four.
1980 G. Henderson Unfinished Voy.: W. Austral. Shipwrecks 1622–1850 179 About 3 miles from Fremantle the vessel started a plank, and made so much water that it was thought advisable to run for the nearest land.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > features of stratum or vein > [verb (transitive)] > displace a vein horizontally
start1758
1758 W. Borlase Nat. Hist. Cornwall 157 Guessing then from their experience in like cases that the lode is heaved, or, more properly speaking, started.
1818 Trans. Royal Geol. Soc. Cornwall 1 246 Are there any instances in this parish, of lodes started or heaved by slides, as in the Pink mine and North-downs?
1842 C. Redding Illustr. Itinerary Cornwall 210 Lodes..are also found fractured and shifted, so that the miner loses the vein by encountering what some call a ‘fault’, the effect of a violent terrene convulsion, which is speedily recovered by driving in the direction experience dictates when a lode is thus ‘heaved’, or ‘started’, as they term it.
ΘΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > suggestion, proposal > suggest [verb (transitive)] > for consideration
puta1350
purposea1382
propone1402
motion1505
exhibit1529
propound?1531
prefer1539
raise1566
to put forward1569
broach1579
start1579
offer1583
propose1614
first1628
to put it to a person1664
moot1685
suppose1771
pose1862
to put up1901
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward [verb (transitive)]
laya1387
proposea1398
stirc1400
move1452
propound?1531
broach1579
start1579
moot1685
to set up1697
argument1747
1579 J. Knewstub Confut. Heresies f. 35 The offices, and functions that were in the Churche of Rome, whereof he sheweth great liking, as beyng figuratiue seruices of that trueth which H.N. hath newely started.
1640 W. Gilbert Architectonice Consolationis 43 Here is a question started by the Casuists, let us persue it a little.
1656 H. Phillippes Purchasers Pattern (1676) 13 I start this question.
1673 E. Hickeringill Gregory 230 Methinks I hear the proverb started.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 231 This Paradox, was both late started amongst the Greeks, and quickly cried down by the Succession of their Philosophers.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes ii. 112 From what I last said another objection lies very obvious to be started.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 169 Will you give me Leave to start one Difficulty here?
1786 F. Burney Diary & Lett. (1842) III. iv. 129 Having..explained herself, she finished the subject, and has never started it since.
a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey (1818) II. xiii. 245 She took the first opportunity..to start forth her obligation of going away very soon. View more context for this quotation
a1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. (1857) 3rd Ser. xiii. 160 Many difficulties arose; such for instance as the one here started.
1877 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. App. 604 The charter of 934 starts a point of quite another kind.
1890 O. W. Holmes Over Teacups 74 She started a question the other evening which set some of us thinking.
1921 Times 1 Jan. 11/6 There is a lot of Irish and German propaganda going on. One of the forms it has taken was to start the question, ‘What did England do in the war?’
13. transitive. Nautical. To loosen (an anchor) from where it is lodged in the ground; to slacken (a sheet, tack, etc.). Sometimes more generally: to dislodge, free.
ΚΠ
1606 Last East-Indian Voy. sig. Ev The 10 day wee weyed, but had much adoe to gette vp a small anchor, our weakenesse was so great, that wee could not start it without tackles.
1744 J. Philips Authentic Jrnl. Exped. Anson 152 At Daylight observing our Ship had started her Anchors, we lowered our Yards.
1786 J. McCluer Acct. Navigation between India & Gulph of Persia 73 The Northerly Wind is fair to stand into Muscat Cove; but it blows, when from that Point, so as to start their Anchors in the Cove.
c1795 in Naval Chron. (1817) 37 358 [We] never ceased to be employed in the attempt to start the ship from her then position.
1803 J. Davis Trav. U.S.A. 414 Lower away the haliards! Start the tack there!
1863 W. C. Holton & B. S. Osbon Cruise U.S. Flag-ship Hartford 15 A line was attached to a kedge off our quarter, and a gunboat hauling at the same time, started her from the sand.
1887 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. Jan. 183 The schooner was already paying off on the other tack. Instinctively we went to start the tack of the fore-staysail.
1904 Sail & Sweep Nov. 505/1 We started the main sheet and gave her a good full, but still she baulked.
1975 Cruising World May 40/1 I started the mainsheet a foot or so and the sharpie instantly fell off the wind.
1984 J. Harland Seamanship in Age of Sail xviii. 248/2 The cable would be pulling upwards, in such a way as to disengage the fluke, and ‘start’ the anchor.
14. † a. colloquial. Originally: to pour out (drink). Later more generally: to dispense (food or drink). Obsolete.Perhaps originally with reference to the discharging of beer from a spigot or the like (cf. sense 14c). Perhaps ultimately a transitive use corresponding to sense 4a.In quots. 1790 and 1826 with double object.† b. transitive. In the management of stores of beer or similar drink: to pour (drink) from one container into another (which may be partly full or empty), esp. in order to improve or maintain its quality. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything
feather?c1225
serve?c1225
astore1297
purveya1325
purveyc1325
warnishc1330
supply1384
bego1393
garnish?a1400
stuff14..
instore1432
relievec1480
providec1485
appurvey1487
support?1507
furnishc1515
repair1518
supply1529
speed1531
help (a person) to (also with)1569
sort1598
suffice1600
enduea1616
starta1640
employ1690
find1713
to fix out1725
issue1737
service1969
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Beggers Bush iii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Llv 1 B. Come, English beer Hostess... 2 B. Start beer boy, stout & strong beer.
1790 C. Dibdin Coll. Songs IV. 42 Then so ho! to the barrel, to start me some ale.
1826 H. N. Coleridge Six Months W. Indies 27 They start you an exquisite luncheon..at each [country residence].
Π
1678 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Starting, among the Brewers, is the putting of new Beer or Ale to that which is decayed to revive it again.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Start, (Drink) Brewers emptying several Barrels into a great Tub; and thence conveying it through a Leather-pipe down the Cellar into the Butts.
1700 Orig. Jrnls. House of Commons 16 Feb. (Parl. Archives HC/CL/JO/1/105) 197 Ye Peticioners have Drink Returned which has paid the Duty and they are forced to Start or put again into New Drink then in the Tuns.
1730 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum Starting [with Brewers] is the Putting of new Beer or Ale to that which is decay'd to revive it again; also the Filling their empty Buts with fresh-brew'd Beer.
1735 W. Pardon Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. Start,..in the Brewers Trade, 'tis to supply a Customer with a Cellar of Beer, Ale, &c. in order to keep, settle, and refine some Months before it be drawn, &c.
1856 Brewer 52 When a vat has acquired some age, start half the contents into another vat, and immediately fill up both with new beer.
c. transitive. Originally and chiefly Nautical. In the management of stores: to pour (liquid or powder) from one container to another. Later sometimes more generally: to empty out or discharge (a substance) from a container; to empty or discharge the contents of (a container). Now historical.In quot. 1879 figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or fact of pouring or being poured > pour [verb (transitive)] > from one vessel into another
transfuse1601
transvasate1678
start1729
transvase1839
the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > empty > empty (a vessel)
teema1400
deliver1486
untap1622
start1729
1729 W. Wriglesworth MS Log-bk. of ‘Lyell’ 27 Oct. Took in 15 Puncheons of Water and started them into the Empty Butts in the Hold.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 88 The Captain told him not to start the Powder..without his Orders.
1775 Town & Country Mag. Apr. 192/1 We..instantly started the water in the hold, and pumped it up.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 399 Which fenk-back is sometimes provided with a clough..for ‘starting’ the fenks into a barge or lighter placed below.
1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 24 Charcoal might be started at once from its charring place to close vessels.
1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 102 The wine was anciently started into lead cisterns.
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 118 A small place..wherein the powder is started.
1879 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 3rd Ser. vi. 273 When the cares of life begin to press, they start their cargo of classical lumber and fill the void with law or politics.
1920 C. P. Bowie Extinguishing & Preventing Oil & Gas Fires (U.S. Bureau of Mines) Bull. 120 22 Within five minutes after starting it [sc. foam] into tank 855 there was a blanket about 6 inches deep of it over the entire surface of the oil.
1968 M. J. Thornton Napoleon after Waterloo vi. 111 A lighter with water for the ship came alongside, and the sailors were employed in clearing her and starting the water into the casks in the hold.
1978 P. O'Brian Desolation Island vii. 197 Start the water, all but a ton; and try the jib, one-third in.
15. transitive. Nautical. To beat with a rope's end or light cane. Cf. starter n. 7. Now historical.Originally as a punishment for slowness or slacking.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] > with rope
rope-end1583
colt1732
start1802
rope's-end1803
rope-end1833
1802 [implied in: Ann. Reg. 1801 (Otridge ed.) Chron. 44/2 [He] called to the boatswain to bring a point (a rope doubled with knots at the end), and give the plaintiff a ‘starting’.].
1810 Sporting Mag. Mar. 289/1 He was started several times by a boatswain's mate with a rope.
1825 Ann. Reg. 1824 Chron. 33/1 The charge of severely starting marines and seamen, and flogging others on their breech.
1863 C. Reade Hard Cash (1864) I. vii. 191 Bosen's mate, take a bight of the flying jib sheet, stand over him, and start him if he dallies with it!
1978 P. O'Brian Desolation Island iii. 90 You, sir, jump up to the head and back seven times. Clarke, start him hearty.
2006 P. Dowswell Prison Ship (2007) i. 23 ‘Bosun, start that man,’ barked Midshipman Pritchard, and one of the bosun's mates stepped forward and hit me with his rope.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > upset or perturb [verb (transitive)]
to-wendc893
mingeOE
dreveOE
angerc1175
sturb?c1225
worec1225
troublec1230
sturble1303
disturbc1305
movea1325
disturblec1330
drubblea1340
drovec1350
distroublec1369
tempestc1374
outsturba1382
unresta1382
stroublec1384
unquietc1384
conturb1393
mismaya1400
unquemea1400
uneasec1400
discomfita1425
smite?a1425
perturbc1425
pertrouble?1435
inquiet1486
toss1526
alter1529
disquiet1530
turmoil1530
perturbate1533
broil1548
mis-set?1553
shake1567
parbruilyiec1586
agitate1587
roil1590
transpose1594
discompose1603
harrow1609
hurry1611
obturb1623
shog1636
untune1638
alarm1649
disorder1655
begruntlea1670
pother1692
disconcert1695
ruffle1701
tempestuate1702
rough1777
caddle1781
to put out1796
upset1805
discomfort1806
start1821
faze1830
bother1832
to put aback1833
to put about1843
raft1844
queer1845
rattle1865
to turn over1865
untranquillize1874
hack1881
rock1881
to shake up1884
to put off1909
to go (also pass) through a phase1913
to weird out1970
the mind > emotion > humility > humiliation > humiliate [verb (transitive)]
anitherOE
fellOE
lowc1175
to lay lowc1225
to set adownc1275
snuba1340
meekc1350
depose1377
aneantizea1382
to bring lowa1387
declinea1400
meekenc1400
to pull downc1425
avalec1430
to-gradea1440
to put downc1440
humble1484
alow1494
deject?1521
depress1526
plucka1529
to cut (rarely to cast down) the comb of?1533
to bring down1535
to bring basec1540
adbass1548
diminish1560
afflict1561
to take down1562
to throw down1567
debase1569
embase1571
diminute1575
to put (also thrust) a person's nose out of jointc1576
exinanite1577
to take (a person) a peg lower1589
to take (a person) down a peg (or two)1589
disbasea1592
to take (a person) down a buttonhole (or two)1592
comb-cut1593
unpuff1598
atterr1605
dismount1608
annihilate1610
crest-fall1611
demit1611
pulla1616
avilea1617
to put a scorn on, upon1633
mortify1639
dimit1658
to put a person's pipe out1720
to let down1747
to set down1753
humiliate1757
to draw (a person's) eyeteeth1789
start1821
squabash1822
to wipe a person's eye1823
to crop the feathers of1827
embarrass1839
to knock (also take, etc.) (a person) off his or her perch1864
to sit upon ——1864
squelch1864
to cut out of all feather1865
to sit on ——1868
to turn down1870
to score off1882
to do (a person) in the eye1891
puncture1908
to put (a person) in (also into) his, her place1908
to cut down to size1927
flatten1932
to slap (a person) down1938
punk1963
1821 ‘B. Cornwall’ Mirandola iii. ii. 57 He thought himself at ease, But with a word I started him.
1825 Gentleman's Mag. 95 i. 397 ‘I started him.’ To start is to apply a smart word to an idle or forgetful person.
1895 ‘H. Haliburton’ Dunbar: Poems adapted for Mod. Readers 109 Nae fine nor litigation fear ye, Nae braggin' rival start nor steer ye, But aye your merits mair endear ye!
a1904 F. M. in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1904) V. 734/2 [Yorkshire] I started him.
II. To begin.
17.
a. transitive. To begin (an action or operation).
(a) With gerund, verbal noun, or infinitive as object.Apparently of very limited currency other than with reference to physical motion (see sense 18) before c1830; early examples appear to be isolated figurative or extended uses of senses in branch I. Cf. also sense 19g.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)]
beginc1000
take?a1160
comsea1225
gina1325
commencec1330
tamec1386
to take upa1400
enterc1510
to stand to1567
incept1569
start1570
to set into ——1591
initiate1604
imprime1637
to get to ——1655
flesh1695
to start on ——1885
1570 R. Sempill Regentis Trag. (single sheet) Quhen all is done, thay start ouer sone, To boist and not the better.
c1628 Mad Kinde of Wooing (single sheet) If he but starts to touch thy skirts, Or in the least offends..Ile cut of his fingers ends.
1684 N. Lee Constantine i. ii. 11 Swear thou wilt never leave thy Wedded Fausta; What ever dreadful Chance, or strange Misfortune, Shou'd start to undo me, almost to a Crime.
1787 J. Wolcot Ode upon Ode (ed. 7) 43 If Musicians miss but half a bar, Just like an Irishman she starts to bother.
1827 Torch Light & Public Advertiser (Hagers-Town, Maryland) 1 Mar. After some little further conversation, I started to do my business in the register's office.
1833 J. H. Newman Lett. & Corr. (1891) I. 434 I had before this written to Rose how we had best start agitating.
1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 181 There would be no chance of crossing it [sc. the river] for some days.., even if it started to go down at once.
1914 R. Curle Life a Dream 256 It was most unfortunate that at that instant the outer door bell of his flat should start ringing.
1984 Which? Mar. 122/2 Slates may start to slip if the nails holding them in place rust through.
2014 New Yorker 28 July 60/3 Rousey..started learning the basics of boxing.
(b) With noun or noun phrase denoting an action or activity as object. Cf. sense 19.
Π
1822 Niles' Weekly Reg. 6 Apr. 82/2 Several years since a gentleman at Wilmington, in Delaware, started the manufacture of a certain description of cotton cloth.
1877 Sheffield & Rotherham Independent 19 Sept. 4/7 At 2.45 the Oughtibridge men wanting nine to win, started the task.
1886 Railway Signal June 129/2 Guard Pearce came, and he had not been there long before the work was started.
1922 Dental Outlook June 185/2 A committee of ten was appointed to make immediate arrangements for starting examination of school children.
1931 Rattle of Theta Chi Nov. 34/1 Members..started the arduous labor of trying to get the summer dirt out of our antique mansion.
1965 P. Wayre Wind in Reeds iv. 43 He had already started work on the construction of permanent observation huts or hides built into the sea-wall itself.
2001 School Sci. Rev. Sept. 45/2 The students start their revision for each topic by traffic-lighting the key words.
b. intransitive. To commence an action implied or understood from the context; to begin to speak, sing, eat, conduct business, etc. Cf. sense 21.See also don't start at Phrases 3b.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)]
beginc1000
onginOE
aginOE
ginc1175
to go tillc1175
to take onc1175
comsea1225
fanga1225
to go toc1275
i-ginc1275
commencec1320
to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400
to lay to one's hand(sc1405
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to set toc1425
standa1450
to make to1563
to fall to it1570
to start out1574
to fall to1577
to run upon ——1581
to break off1591
start1607
to set in1608
to set to one's hands1611
to put toa1616
to fall ona1625
in1633
to fall aboard1642
auspicatea1670
to set out1693
to enter (into) the fray1698
open1708
to start in1737
inchoate1767
to set off1774
go1780
start1785
to on with1843
to kick off1857
to start in on1859
to steam up1860
to push off1909
to cut loose1923
to get (also put) the show on the road1941
to get one's arse in gear1948
1607 R. Jones Cantus sig. C2v Here is an end of all these songs which are in number but foure parts..and he loues Musicke well we say, that sings all fiue before he starts.
1784 E. Topham in M. P. Andrews Reparation Epil. 92 Thus, hat in hand, and poiz'd upon one leg, He'll start with—‘Mr Speaker!—Sir—I beg One word.’
1798 W. Wordsworth Peter Bell i. 200 Who Peter was, let that be told, And start from the beginning.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. x. 241 The remnant of this wretched estate..is too little to do one good while it is mine, though, were it sold, I could start again, and mend my hand a little.
1850 J. Paget Hungary & Transylvania (new ed.) II. 294 We always took care to start with a good loaf of bread and a bottle of wine, besides some raw bacon and salami.
1868 Field 4 July 9/2 Each bowler started with a maiden.
1918 Building Age June 283/3 The foreman..meditated for a moment..then said abruptly, ‘When can you start?’
1937 H. Dingle Through Sci. to Philos. ii. xv. 347 When you have begun on sound principles you may assume what you like, because you can always return and start again if your venture should fail.
1974 A. Brink Looking on Darkness 11 Some Pro Deo advocates regard their cases as a matter of routine and assume that they've lost before they've even started.
1997 Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Gaz. 18 Jan. 1/2 ‘Don’t start with me,’ Deborah Sears told her daughter Alexis, 8. Alexis had stamped her foot because her mother had not brought a pillow for her.
2014 Herald-Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 5 Feb. d8/2 Consider starting with Russian potato salad.
18. spec. with reference to physical motion.
a. intransitive. Of a person, horse, greyhound, etc.: to begin to run, gallop, etc., or otherwise set out in a race. Also figurative and in figurative contexts. See also to start fair at Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > race [verb (intransitive)] > set out from barrier
start1579
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse sig. F.3v At running euery one starteth to win the goale.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vi. 42 Giue the aduauntage at the last ende of the race, so that you may starte cheeke by cheeke together, and you shall in the first quarter of the mile burst him.
1645 E. Waller To Friend in Poems 3 Faire course of Passion, where two Lovers start And run together, heart still yoakt in heart!
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 101 When from the Goal they start, The Youthful Charioteers with beating Heart, Rush to the Race. View more context for this quotation
1730 J. Cheny Hist. List Horse-matches 5 The following four Year olds started for a Prize of 800 Guineas.
1780 Mirror No. 82 The King of Prussia [as the sign of an inn] began to give place a little to two popular favourites, who started at the same time, I mean Prince Ferdinand, and the Marquis of Granby.
1795 D. Ramsay Oration 7 All start equal in the race of life.
1864 ‘Stonehenge’ Greyhound in 1864 xvi. 369 A greyhound starts a clear length behind his opponent, and yet passes him in a straight run.
1870 Pall Mall Gaz. 23 Sept. 9/1 Hendre Claiming Stakes... Four started... County Members' Plate... Three started.
1923 Times 20 Oct. 5/1 In spite of the fact that there was much fielding against the chance of Bessema in the opening race,..Sir A. Bailey's filly started favourite.
1940 Rotarian June 17/1 Old-time sprinters started at the drop of a handkerchief.
2005 Independent 31 Jan. (Review section) 7/2 About a hundred horses started and only three seemed to finish.
b.
(a) intransitive. To set out, to begin a journey; to depart, to set off. Originally of a person or animal; later also of a vehicle, ship, etc.
ΘΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > set out
forthfarec888
foundOE
seta1000
to go forthOE
to fare forthc1200
partc1230
to pass forthc1325
to take (the) gatec1330
to take the wayc1330
to take one's waya1375
puta1382
treunt?a1400
movec1400
depart1490
prepare?1518
to set forth1530
to set forward(s)1530
busklea1535
to make out1558
to take forth1568
to set out1583
sally1590
start1591
to go off1600
to put forth1604
to start outa1626
intend1646
to take the road1720
to take one's foot in one's hand1755
to set off1774
to get off1778
to set away1817
to take out1855
to haul out1866
to hit the trail (less commonly the grit, pike, road, etc.)1873
to hit, split or take the breeze1910
hop1922
1591 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso xxxviii. xxxv. 319 Of all them were readie horses found, The spurre, the wand, the leg and voyce t'obay; To stop, to start, to passe carier, to bound, To gallop straight, or round, or any way.
1697 W. Pope Life Seth, Lord Bishop of Salisbury v. 25 Supposing two Swallows, with greater Celerity, to make the same Voyage, both of them starting upon the same Sunday from the same place.
1745 D. Fordyce Dialogues conc. Educ. I. ix. 235 The other Morning, having started early, I got into the Fields before the Sun was up.
1783 J. Smith Tour 1 Dec. in Ohio State Archaeol. & Hist. Q. (1907) 16 360 After having fixed up our luggage and taken breakfast we started from Capt. Owsley's.
1816 Sporting Mag. 47 288 Next after a fox-hunt, the finest sight in England is a stage-coach just ready to start.
1858 T. McCombie Hist. Colony Victoria xv. 234 Immigrants who had not means to start for the diggings.
1885 Law Rep.: Weekly Notes 11 July 146/1 The ship loaded the coals..and..started on her voyage to Bombay.
1898 F. Montgomery Tony 13 Mother! do just get in with me for a few minutes till the train starts.
1905 H. H. Peerless Diary 24 Feb. in Brief Jolly Change (2003) 80 At 10.55 our train started for Tilbury Docks.
1940 H. E. Briggs Frontiers of Northwest (1950) v. xiv. 458 Of the one hundred families that started from New York, forty settled in Iowa and the other sixty in Dakota.
1987 M. Das Cyclones xi. 52 He did not wait for the boat to start. He turned and made for the road into the village.
2010 Guardian 13 Mar. (Weekend Suppl.) 73/4 When the ovum breaks free from its surface to start on its journey to the womb.
(b) intransitive. With adverbs.Recorded earliest in to start out 4b at Phrasal verbs 1. See also to start off 3a at Phrasal verbs 1.In early use sometimes hard to distinguish from sense 3b.
Π
a1626 L. Andrewes XCVI Serm. (1629) 713 Not to start out, till we be sent; nor to goe on our owne heads, but to stay till we be called.
?a1775 W. Bartram Trav. Georgia & Florida in Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. (1943) 33 159/2 They [sc. Indians] left us, mounted their sprightly active siminoles, started off whooping and singing through the extended savanah.
1808 F. Asbury Jrnl. (1821) III. 290 We rose at four o'clock on Monday, and started away for Henry Tooley's.
1853 Putnam's Monthly Mag. July 19/1 A merry party of us started forth to attend a luau or native feast.
1901 T. J. Alldridge Sherbro xxiii. 242 A pilot was provided for me..and the next morning at 6.30 I started away.
1980 F. Buechner Godric 79 The whole great train of men and beasts and chattels started forth.
1997 National Geographic Feb. 12/1 Sixty thousand or more cavalrymen..started westward.
(c) intransitive. To begin one's journey in or from a certain place.
ΘΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > set out > in or from a certain place
start1779
1779 Ann. Reg. 1778 210 Mr. Powell, the noted walker, started from Lee-Bridge, to run two miles in ten minutes.
1831 J. M. Peck Guide for Emigrants 14 A third [boat] may start from the rice lakes at the head of the Mississippi.
1864 R. Chambers Bk. of Days II. 227/1 A string of stage-wagons travelled regularly between London and Liverpool, each one starting from the Axe Inn, Aldermanbury, every Monday and Thursday.
1879 R. K. Douglas Confucianism iii. 90 A mountaineer..in order to reach the top of the peak, has to start from the foot.
1912 J. L. Myres Dawn of Hist. ix. 191 The grassland heart of Asia Minor..is in fact as open as Hungary..to intruders who started in Turkestan.
2007 Time Out N.Y. 21 June 48/2 Starting from Deerfield Road, use the trail's first ½ mile for some dynamic stretching.
c.
(a) transitive. To cause (a person, animal, or vehicle) to start or set out in a race, or on a journey; to set in motion. Also figurative. See also to start off 2a at Phrasal verbs 1.Earliest with reference to encouraging a horse to move off.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > race (a race) [verb (transitive)] > cause to start in race
start1593
the world > movement > progressive motion > cause to move in progressive manner [verb (transitive)] > cause to begin progressive motion
start1850
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart from or leave [verb (transitive)] > set out on (a journey, etc.) > cause to set out
start1850
1593 G. Markham Disc. Horsmanshippe iv. sig. K4v Fayre and gently start hym [sc. a Horse] in his course, and make him runne it ouer couragiously and speedily.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vi. 9 If his ryder start him suddainly, or holde his hankes too straite.
1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester xxxii. 190 Be sure you give him some little warning by your bridle-hand, before you start him, and then stop him firmly and strongly.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 565 So self starts nothing but what tends apace Home to the goal where it began the race.
1799 Sporting Mag. June 161/2 He [sc. a greyhound] was started near Haslerig-dean; but the chace was unsuccessful, as he eluded his pursuers among the Cheviot-hills.
1826 A. D. Murphey Rep. Supreme Court N.-Carolina 2 26 The Plaintiff..started a boat loaded with brick, from Richmond..down to Davis's bay.
1840 N.Y. Herald 29 Oct. A storm is brewing, and we start the ship of state for a four years voyage.
1850 H. T. Cheever Whale & his Captors i. 26 Her unprecedented success started numbers on her track.
1857 Hunt's Merchants' Mag. Sept. 394 The man with the shield takes the clerk by the nape of his neck, and starts him toward the tombs.
1865 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia VI. xxi. vi. 597 Draught-horses..whom..you would see spring at the ropes..thirty of them to a gun, when started and gee-ho'd to.
1921 ‘B. M. Bower’ Cow-country xii. 132 They went back over the course to the quarter post, with Dave to start them and two or three others to make sure that the race was fair.
1945 T. Bailey Red Fruit 133 The malaria had gotten him and he was weak as a rat. At last they patched him up and started him toward home.
2013 D. Berliner History's Most Important Racing Aircraft vii. 57/1 The airplanes in the 1930 Thompson Trophy Race were started singly, at short intervals.
(b) transitive. To enter (a horse) for a race.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > ride horse in race [verb (transitive)] > enter horse for race
start1732
run1797
nominate1859
saddle1884
1732 J. Cheny Hist. List Horse-matches sig. A3v Those, who are ambitious of a full and timely Account of the Days and other Conditions of the said Prizes of the Kingdom;..with a View of Starting their Horses.
1773 J. Weatherby Racing Cal. 1 p. xxii The owner of every horse..shall, for the future, be obliged to declare to the keeper of the match-book..which of the said prizes he intends to start his horse for.
1839 Sporting Rev. Jan. 48 Their extreme disapprobation of horses being started for races without the intention, on the part of their owners, of trying to win with them.
1885 Truth 28 May 853/2 The Payne Stakes, for which Lord Hastings very wisely started Melton.
1907 C. Bradley in Victoria Hist. Suffolk II. 380/1 Only seven horses were started for the three races, and that Sir Charles Bunbury won two out of the three.
1939 Observer 12 Mar. 26/5 Four Grand National horses were started in the Hurst Park Grand National Trial Steeplechase, but they were all beaten by Didoric.
2002 J. D. Squires Horse of Different Color ii. 91 The trainer had suggested starting him for the first time in..a maiden special on the grass at Saratoga.
(c) transitive. Sport. Of a player: to be in a team's starting line-up for (a game or match); (also of a coach, manager, etc.) to include (a player) on the team that begins a particular game or match. Also intransitive.
ΚΠ
1911 Escanaba (Mich.) Daily Press 30 Aug. 1/6 Cadreau..started the game for the Giants yesterday and lasted for four innings.
1914 St. Nicholas Oct. 1064/2 In the afternoon, the manager told me that he intended starting me in a game as soon as I had lost my train legs.
1984 Washington Post (Nexis) 13 Oct. f8 Even if available, Johnson might not start.
1992 Sports Illustr. 19 Oct. 62/2 And the decision to shake up the punchless Razorback offense by starting true freshman Barry Lunney at quarterback against Tennessee was inspired.
2014 Yorks. Post 7 Nov. 22/6 If he doesn't start the game he is a player coming off the bench who can make a difference.
19. † c. transitive. To begin to keep (a horse, a carriage, etc.) for one's use, or as part of one's establishment. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To promulgate, circulate; to initiate, establish.Originally with reference to the promulgation or circulation of a belief, opinion, rumour, or the like; later also with reference to the initiation of an argument or dispute, the establishing of a custom, etc., or to the fact of being the first to be active in (a matter), engage in (a practice), practise (an art), etc.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > source or origin > originate or be a source of [verb (transitive)] > a book, play, remark, etc.
author1597
start1645
gignate1819
the mind > language > speech > conversation > converse with [verb (transitive)] > spread (a rumour) or tell (as a gossip)
rumour1548
chata1593
buzz1616
start1645
the world > existence and causation > causation > initiating or causing to begin > initiate [verb (transitive)]
beginc1175
baptizec1384
to set a (on) broachc1440
open1471
to set abroachc1475
entame1477
to set afloat1559
initiate1604
first1607
principiate1613
to set afoot or on foot1615
unclap1621
inchoatea1631
flush1633
to set on1638
principatec1650
rudiment1654
auspicate1660
embryonate1666
to strike up1711
start1723
institutea1797
float1833
spark1912
1645 W. Constantine 2nd Pt. Interest Eng. 72 Great wits have started all the Heresies that ever were, as great minds have fomented all great changes.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 24 June (1972) VII. 178 He started a discourse of a talk he hears about the town.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 237 Allowing then, that this Epigenes..started Tragedy before Thespis; still [etc.].
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 208 He..falls a tumbling over his Papers to see if he can start a Law Suit, and plague any of his Neighbours.
1723 D. Waterland 2nd Vindic. Christ's Divinity 95 Before the Arian Controversy was started.
1778 E. Burke Let. 18 July in Corr. (1963) IV. 6 The fair part, which the Whigs had acted in a business which, though first started by them, was supposed equally acceptable to all sides.
1783 R. Cumberland Mysterious Husband v. 78 I regard you much too well to start a quarrel with you.
1856 Spectator 11 Oct. 1074/1 A Belgian journal has started the rumour that the King of Prussia has offered the Swiss Confederation [etc.].
1889 Harper's Mag. Aug. 408/1 It now remains for some bel esprit of artistic taste to start a novel treatment of this happy idea.
1902 R. Bagot Donna Diana xx. 242 No doubt it is honourable—according to the conception of honour existing among those who have started the story.
1917 W. H. Lough Business Finance v. 69 The older and more conservative corporations started the practice of engaging independent registrars.
1982 P. Redmond Brookside (Mersey TV shooting script) (O.E.D. Archive) Episode 4. 47 Sheila, Damon, and Karen are..starting an argument about who does dishes.
2005 N. Brooks My Name is Denise Forrester 219 Sometimes one big group of guys would start a rumour that another big group of guys..were around the corner right now.
b. transitive. To begin to sing, write, perform, design, etc.
Π
1795 Sporting Mag. Dec. 119/2 At the Bath Theatre, the managers have started a play called William Tell.
1834 Biblical Repository July 345 An enthusiastic kind of man..started a song with a lively tune.
1843 A. W. Pugin Let. 26 Aug. (2001) II. 101 I am just starting a new church at Liverpool & an orphan house.
1891 P. Fitzgerald Hist. Pickwick 251 The author had started his beautiful story of ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’.
1922 T. S. Eliot Let. July (1988) I. 555 I started this letter on Monday! and have had to put it aside for work on the review.
2009 N.Y. Mag. 15 June 130/3 Lazar made a throat-cutting motion. Paris took this as a cue to start the next song.
ΘΠ
the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] > possess and use or enjoy > keep for use and enjoyment > begin to
start1819
1819 Gaz. Health 1 Aug. 211 He then started a carriage.
1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) viii, in Writings I. 78 His wife suggested he should forthwith start a horse and very genteel cart.
1866 A. Thomas Walter Goring I. xvii. 251 I often thought it a pity that your uncle did not keep up the kennels..I wish you'd start them again!
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxv. 415 He is sure to start a yacht for one thing.
1903 W. J. Barry Glimpses Austral. Colonies iv. 11/1 He started a carriage and eight, in which he drove regularly in Hyde Park.
d. transitive. To set going, cause to begin to function or operate; to set (machinery) in motion. Cf. to start up 5c at Phrasal verbs 1.Cf. uses with complement at sense 19g.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)] > cause to begin to act or operate
to put (also set) to worka1398
to put on work?1440
streek?a1500
setc1500
to put (also set) in (also into) motion1598
spring1598
to set offa1625
to put (also set) in work1626
to set (a-)going1705
start1822
to start up1865
to set in motion1890
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > render mechanical [verb (transitive)] > operate machine
start1822
run1840
1822 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Dec. 658/1 If you have any wish to see our thrashing machine at work, we are to start it just now.
1865 Intellectual Observer No. 36. 419 By the time I had started my fire.
1925 Morris Owner's Man. 37 Before the engine is started from cold.
1941 A. W. Judge Aircraft Engines II. xi. 395 If the engine had been properly primed with mixture it was possible to start it by means of the starter magneto alone.
1986 Consumer Rep. Oct. 659/1 An engine disabler typically interrupts current to the starter or the ignition, making it impossible to start the car.
1991 Computing 10 Jan. 21/1 Inset is a memory resident facility that is optionally loaded before starting Wordstar.
2006 L. Kelly Crocodile vii. 176 They stopped and started the motor, reversed the boat—anything to provoke the crocodile into attack.
e. transitive. To establish, set up (an institution, organization, company, etc.); to institute (a system, procedure, etc.). Also: to begin to engage in (business). Cf. to start up 5c at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > initiating or causing to begin > initiate [verb (intransitive)] > establish
start1824
the world > existence and causation > causation > initiating or causing to begin > initiate [verb (transitive)] > found or establish
arear?a800
astellc885
planteOE
i-set971
onstellOE
rightOE
stathelOE
raisec1175
stofnec1175
stablea1300
morec1300
ordainc1325
fermc1330
foundc1330
instore1382
instituec1384
establec1386
firmc1425
roota1450
steadfastc1450
establishc1460
institute1483
to set up1525
radicate1531
invent1546
constitute1549
ordinate1555
rampire1555
upset1559
stay1560
erect1565
makea1568
settle1582
stablish1590
seminarize1593
statuminatea1628
hain1635
bottom1657
haft1755
start1824
1824 Times 20 Dec. 3/1 It might be worth the consideration of the projectors of new companies to start a company for the regulation of posting.
1874 R. St. J. Tyrwhitt Our Sketching Club 2 Nothing is easier than to start an art-club.
1884 Manch. Examiner 20 May 5/2 He started business on a capital which he would now-a-days consider ridiculously small.
1888 Athenæum 17 Nov. 665/2 So many volumes are now comprised in the current series of All the Year Round that Mr. Dickens is going to start a new series in January.
1904 G. B. Shaw Common Sense of Munic. Trading 41 Private enterprise..will not start a new system until it is forced to scrap the old one.
1922 Encycl. Brit. XXX. 998/2 A few doctors..had started a new organization in opposition to the British Medical Association.
1950 Prisons & Borstals (Home Office) 20 The first prison camp in England was started in connection with the training prison at Wakefield in 1933.
1994 Homemaker's Mag. (Toronto) Summer 20/2 The Ninety-Nines, an association started in 1929 by Amelia Earhart.
2013 New Yorker 16 Dec. 53/1 The Defense Department started a new program with the Orwellian name Total Information Awareness.
f. transitive. To stimulate (a plant, seedling, etc.) to begin to grow or to produce fruit.
Π
1832 Gardener's Mag. June 331 Now, as he wishes to start the plants into fruit, he intends to raise it [sc. the temperature] to 90°.
1841 in J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist (1842) 511 Cucumbers will succeed beautifully, trained against a south wall, if planted in a little good soil to start them.
1919 Gardeners' Chron. Oct. 359/1 They may be placed outside and covered with ashes until they are rooted through, when they may be given a little heat to start them.
1974 Boys' Life Apr. 44/1 To start seeds or seedlings, you can use paper cups.
2012 B. L. Markham Mini Farming Guide Veg. Gardening xix. 201 Start the seeds by storing in the freezer for six weeks and then planting them in well-watered peat pots three months before last frost.
g. transitive. With infinitive or (in later use more commonly) gerund as complement. To cause (a person or thing) to begin to do something.Cf. sense 17a(a), which may have influenced the development of this sense.to start the ball rolling: see ball n.1 Phrases 1e.
Π
1838 Morning Post 14 Sept. Before he could get out of the way, it [sc. a steam-engine] was inadvertently started going by the engineer.
1846 A. Soyer Gastron. Regenerator 330 Start it to boil over the fire.
1881 Christian Union 14 Dec. 594/4 A writer..says some capital things on this subject that ought to start us thinking.
1898 Argosy Aug. 54 The liquor starts the blood coursing through his veins.
1956 P. White Tree of Man i. vii. 63 Even though circumstances had started them to think, it was in a tangled way.
1963 G. M. B. Dobson Exploring Atmosphere viii. 138 The signal which started the beam moving.
1990 Sci. Amer. Jan. (Italy Suppl.) 26/2 The catalyst that starts the plastic growing.
2005 N.Y. Times 10 Apr. 22/2 The White House will encourage them to start the legislative wheels turning in the Senate.
h. transitive. colloquial. Of a woman: to conceive (a child). More generally: to set about having (a child); to begin to form (a family) by having children. Esp. in to start a baby, to start a family.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > conception > conceive [verb (intransitive)]
trima1325
conceivec1375
greatenc1390
to fall with child (also bairn)a1464
impregnate1711
start1846
catch1858
fall1891
click1936
to be caught out1957
to fall for ——1957
big1982
1846 Douglas Jerrold's Weekly Newspaper 24 Oct. 350/1 You never can even start a baby without bringing a woman about you.
1883 B. E. Slade tr. E. Marlitt Little Princess II. 132 What do you think of the latest news, Dagobert? The old mummy has started a family—that pretty little thing is Dr. von Sassen's daughter.
1930 ‘R. West’ War Nurse ii. 17 What was the matter with her was that she was starting a baby and she felt low in her mind.
1938 E. Bowen Death of Heart i. i. 24 Irene had started Portia.
1956 Mademoiselle Sept. 185/1 After the apple farm was started we were going to start a child.
1973 G. Greene Honorary Consul ii. iii. 96 ‘He wanted to marry... And if there's a child—’ ‘Have you started one?’ ‘No.’
2002 Independent on Sunday 7 Apr. (Life Etc. section) 1/2 It used to be that you saved up a bit before starting a family—now you go around the world.
2007 ‘H. North’ Not Marrying Kind 27 It turned out that Donnie and Harriet had a thing for each other and had gone and started a baby.
i. transitive. To begin to suffer from or succumb to (an illness, esp. a cold).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > catch illness
catcha1393
enticec1400
engender1525
get1527
to take up1629
to come down1837
to pick up1889
start1891
to go down1895
1891 W. T. Adams Stand by Union iii. 45 I am feeling very well to-day, except that I have started a cold in the head.
1902 Lancet 22 Feb. 514/2 On the 16th she started an attack of diarrhoea which proved extremely obstinate and continued until her death.
1932 ‘E. M. Delafield’ Thank Heaven Fasting i. i. 14 I think Cecily's starting a cold.
1958 P. Kemp No Colours or Crest vii. 147 He himself was recovering from the malaria he had started at Arborie, but was still very weak.
2009 W. Wilkinson Way of Stars & Stones (2010) ii. 33 You were running a temperature and felt like you were starting a bad cold.
20.
a. transitive. To cause or enable (a person) to begin or enter on some course of action; to set up or establish in business. In later use often in passive with get (see get v. 29a(a)).
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)] > cause (a person) to begin to do something
launch1602
start1757
to set on1823
to start off1844
to set off1863
1757 S. Foote Author i. 12 I intend giving him the Run of Jonathan's for three Months to understand Trade and the Funds; and then, I'll start him.
1844 New Monthly Belle Assemblée Apr. 209/1 Before he was four-and-twenty he had squandered every farthing of an inheritance which would have been sufficient to have started him in trade, or stocked a farm.
1854 Poultry Chron. 1 69 The plan for starting the cottager in business..may appear tardy in its results.
1932 Extension Mag. Feb. 17/3 It's going to be a long pull for you, Linnie, to put her through school, and get her started at something.
1991 N. Gordimer in Jump & Other Stories (1992) 70 Her father had got her started in an important firm through the kindness of one of his gentlemen at the club. A word in the right place; and now it was up to her to become a secretary.
2010 T. James Me, Mob, & Music vi. 144 His partner for life was Morris Gurlak, the father figure who started him in business.
b. transitive. To get (a person) going in conversation, to get someone to begin to talk, esp. on a particular subject.don't get me started: see Phrases 3a.
ΘΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > set a person talking
prompt1440
start1836
1836 New-Yorker 29 Oct. 87/3 Well, you 're the strangest man I ever undertook to talk with. I can't get you started any which way.
1877 M. W. Hungerford Phyllis xx I would back mamma, once started, to hold her own against any of those Billingsgate ladies one hears of.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Valerie's Fate ii Miss Riddell,..by a judicious question or two, started the old gentleman on one of his favorite topics.
1935 Motor Boating Feb. 181 For that matter, now that you've started me on the subject of lubrication, we are pretty well sold on all the Texaco products out here.
2013 Sun Herald (Sydney) (Nexis) 18 Aug. 64 This is just one of the negative side effects I see from the overuse of video referrals in professional sport. But please don't start me on that subject!
21.
a. intransitive. Of a process, activity, event, etc.: to begin; to get under way.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)]
beginc1000
onginOE
aginOE
ginc1175
to go tillc1175
to take onc1175
comsea1225
fanga1225
to go toc1275
i-ginc1275
commencec1320
to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400
to lay to one's hand(sc1405
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to set toc1425
standa1450
to make to1563
to fall to it1570
to start out1574
to fall to1577
to run upon ——1581
to break off1591
start1607
to set in1608
to set to one's hands1611
to put toa1616
to fall ona1625
in1633
to fall aboard1642
auspicatea1670
to set out1693
to enter (into) the fray1698
open1708
to start in1737
inchoate1767
to set off1774
go1780
start1785
to on with1843
to kick off1857
to start in on1859
to steam up1860
to push off1909
to cut loose1923
to get (also put) the show on the road1941
to get one's arse in gear1948
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > begin (of a process)
start1785
1785 Ann. Agric. 4 240 Setting wheat started at once in Norfolk to a great extent, but has not increased since.
1801 Farmer's Mag. Jan. 85 Wheat started at 48s. and 50s. per boll, and has now got up to 63s.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy I. viii. 175 The high note, with which the tune started, died away in a quaver of consternation.
1820 Caledonian Mercury 20 July The first race started a little past ten o'clock.
1877 Carthusian Oct. 377/2 The play started very steadily, but Williams was bowled after making 11.
1922 Jrnl. Industr. & Engin. Chem. Mar. 242/2 The conflagration started at 2:45 p.m.
1936 Bull. Neurol. Inst. N.Y. 5 72 The Von Hippel–Lindau disease may be familial and start early in life.
1989 J. Holmes & R. Lindley Values of Psychotherapy ii. 27 When psychoanalysis started it challenged many of the prevailing beliefs about sexual morality.
2006 F. Kiernan & G. Hemphill Still Game: Scripts I. v. 142 You only have one minute 'cause Columbo is about to start.
b. intransitive. To embark upon life, a career, a line of business, etc. Also more fully as to start in business, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > [verb (intransitive)] > begin trading
break trade1788
to start in business1788
1788 Ramble of Philo I. xiii. 208 The young men, just starting into life and observation, could not..make out the age of Dowlas's periwig.
1796 J. Moore Edward I. xviii. 163 Those who, starting in life with greater advantages, were less attentive to the means of improvement.
1799 H. MacDougall Sketches of Irish Polit. Characters iii. 278 He started in trade, and with a fortune of about 200l. per annum, but soon quitted the regular course of trade, for the uncertain trade of politics.
1820 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 643/1 To see the scenery of life stretching far on before us—and to feel that we are but starting on a career.
1845 C. Anderson Ann. Eng. Bible II. iii. 239 While his father..was sinking into the grave..as many as eight new men had started in business as printers.
1872 R. B. Smyth Mining Statist. 59 The Majestic Company was formed in February, 1861, from the previous company, known as Sim and Company, who started in 1857.
1906 World's Work Mar. 7342/1 When he started in politics in Newburgh, N. Y., he knew almost everybody in the town.
1940 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 7 May 4/6 He started in business for himself as an industrial research expert, reorganizing ailing business enterprises.
1986 R. Sproat Stunning the Punters 139 When the punks first started and they was rolling into school with the green and pink hair and that.
2005 Independent 1 Nov. 16/2 There's a fair bit of prejudice. When I first started it was assumed that I wouldn't be able to run my own radio desk.
c. intransitive. Of a machine, device, etc.: to begin to operate. See also to start up 5a at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > render mechanical [verb (intransitive)] > operate machine
start1880
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > become active or come into operation > of a mechanism, etc.
to fire up1859
start1880
to set on1889
trip1940
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > movement of vehicles > move or go along [verb (intransitive)] > start (of motor vehicle)
start1880
1880 B. Wood Comprehensive Guide Steam-engine Indicator 68 Why does an engine start the best when the crank is at the top centre and the piston at the bottom of the cylinder?
1902 C. S. Rolls in A. C. Harmsworth et al. Motors & Motor-driving (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ix. 165 A petrol engine will generally start most easily with all the cold-air inlets closed.
1979 Guardian 4 May 22/4 A mistake by a technician operated an accident signal and the emergency diesel generator started.
2014 Independent (Nexis) 10 Jan. 44 He arrived in class on his first day to find the computer wouldn't start.
22. transitive. To begin to live through (a period or stage of one's life, as school, marriage, working life, retirement, etc.).
Π
1864 Tract Mag. 96 Resume, in that respect, the habits with which you started your married life.
1874 Daily Rocky Mountain News (Denver) 13 Jan. He started married life at an early year.
1903 Glenwood (Iowa) Opinion 17 Sept. He started his manhood as a village lawyer.
1937 L. Jones Cwmardy ii. 18 Well, boy bach, you be a big man to-day, starting school, eh?
1943 Amarillo (Texas) Globe 17 Sept. 12/1 Harry C. Sharpless, machinist at Amarillo, will start his retirement October 1.
1971 I. Metzker & D. L. Levy tr. Bintel Brief 25 In general at least some sort of a timepiece was considered essential to the greenhorn starting his new life in America.
2004 Church Times 26 Nov. 18/2 The Revd Jesse Hillman, who died on 6 November, aged 82, started his working life as a booking clerk on the Southern Railway, in the footsteps of his father, who was a station-master.
2015 Oxf. Times 21 May 75/1 My daughter starts university after the summer.
23. intransitive. With reference to a range of prices, rates, etc.: to begin from or at a minimum set point.
Π
1868 Clinton Republican (Wilmington, Ohio) 22 Oct. (advt.) Hog slaughtering in limited numbers, will commence in the city this week. Prices start from $8.00.
1873 Architect 1 Feb. 64/2 The schedule prices start from 4½d., and run up to the extreme price for the largest size and weight of 3s. 8d.
1966 H. Davies New London Spy (1967) 110 Made-to-measure shirts start from about £6 in poplin.
1984 Which? Oct. (Car Suppl.) 5/1 Prices start at around £3,500, but most models fall into the £4,000 to £5,000 price band.
2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 10 Apr. v. 4/5 Rates start at $435 a night for a garden-level standard room.
24. intransitive. Of anything with linear extent, as a line, or a road, trail, river, etc.: to begin or be reckoned from a particular point in space.
Π
1871 New Englander (New Haven, Connecticut) 30 378 This new Railroad starts at the very western outpush of all the Lakes.
1883 Proc. Royal Geogr. Soc. 5 693 The ivory road starts from Stanley Pool, passes through São Salvador and debouches at Ambrizete.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXVII. 187/1 Will an isentropic line, which starts from a point of the border-curve on the side of the liquid not far from the critical point, remain throughout its descending course in the heterogeneous region?
1983 A. O. Epple Amphibians of New Eng. 71 Most individuals have two yellowish dorsolateral lines... Each line starts at the eye and extends down the back.
2015 China Daily (Nexis) 27 Oct. The maritime Silk Road starts in China and terminates in Rotterdam.
Phrases
P1. to start fair: to start on equal terms (originally in a race).
ΘΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > be or become equal [verb (intransitive)] > be, get, or declare oneself even
to make oneself evenc1390
to cry quittance1579
to cry (a person) quit1590
to cry quits1625
to start faira1637
to get hunk (with)1845
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > begin [verb (intransitive)] > on equal terms
to start faira1637
a1637 G. Markham Compl. Farriar (1639) x. 66 When you come to the place of start, before you turle or uncloath the horse, rub and chafe his legs with hard wisps..then uncloath him, mount his Rider; start faire, and then refer all the rest, to Gods good will and pleasure.
1689 J. Oakes Blessed Paul's Tryal & Triumph 18 In the running of a Race: Care must be taken that the persons that run start fair.
1705 C. Cibber Careless Husband iii. i. 24 Nay, Madam, let's start Fair.
1795 M. Moore Mem. & Adventures 84 He prevailed on me to set aside (as Judge) the claim of the first, on the ground of not starting fair, and award the prize to the second.
1842 N. Amer. Rev. Oct. 302 Public schools tend to equalize social advantages, because they enable all men to start fair in the race.
1868 Parl. Deb. 3rd Ser. 190 1317 The labouring classes and others who did not chance just now to hold any land in Ireland, might ask why they should not ‘start fair’.
1902 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 188/1 The mauve girl led off with a piercing scream, and then they all started fair.
1919 P. G. Wodehouse Their Mutual Child ix. 112 Say, squire, what's the matter with calling the fight off and starting fair?
2008 E. Docx Pravda 195 Let's start again, but let's start fair.
P2. colloquial (originally U.S.). to start something: to cause some trouble, disturbance, etc. Similarly (in negative constructions) to start anything.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > disorder or riot > riot [verb (intransitive)] > cause disturbance
to start something1870
1870 E. Kellogg Boy Farmers of Elm Island x. 134 Uncle Isaac, giving John Rhines the wink, took him, Fred, and Charlie aside, and said,—‘Come, can't you boys start something?’
1905 Washington Post 18 Dec. 9/3 ‘Now, don't start anything, dear,’ calmly rejoined his wife.
1917 U. Sinclair King Coal 78 Either the man was an agitator, seeking to ‘start something’, or else he was a detective sent in by the company.
1917 P. G. Wodehouse Uneasy Money xvi. 179 You certainly did the wrong thing. You started something!
1943 F. J. Bell Condition Red 59 The Japs..slunk by without starting anything.
2003 Ice Oct. 111/2 No-one dared take me on. It's why I had to start backyard wrestling—everyone was too pussy to start something.
P3.
a. don't get me (also him, us, etc.) started: used as a humorous warning to stay off a particular subject as the person mentioned has strong feelings or opinions about it and may talk passionately and at length.
Π
1878 ‘Sola’ Amer. Girl iv. 84 Don't get me started on her, for I can't bear her style.
1942 Brownsville (Texas) Herald 6 July 4/4 Don't get us started on censorship. We wouldn't have space.
1972 R. L. Welsch Shingling Fog & Other Plains Lies (1980) 73 A farmer's wife says of her..husband, ‘Don't get him started on Moses Stocking or we'll be up all night.’
1998 B. Kingsolver Poisonwood Bible (1999) ii. 127 The spectacular hairdos on the women..man alive, don't even get me started.
2011 M. Martin Paradise Dogs v. 77 Don't even get the Newmans started on the subject of relish.
b. colloquial. don't start: don't begin to complain, criticize, carp, make irritating or unwelcome comments, etc.; often used to express exasperation at what the person addressed has begun to say. Similarly don't you start: used to express exasperation at hearing sentiments echoed by another speaker.
ΚΠ
1900 J. Derrick Confusion i. 42 Vio. Perhaps you side with him and his absurd prejudice. Rup. Don't you start, Violet. No, I don't side with him.
1934 N. Marsh Man lay Dead x. 167 ‘You're a—a wonder,’ finished Nigel seriously. ‘Don't you start!’ said Mrs North.
1955 ‘A. Aldrich’ We walk Alone vii. 72 ‘Cuddles is a goddamn child substitute,’ Linda says. Lil moans, ‘Oh, God, please! Don't start! We left Sigmund home, honey.’
1956 P. Scott Male Child ii. v. 157 ‘She ought to get out more.’ He grinned. ‘Now don't you start.’
1974 ‘S. Woods’ Done to Death 129 ‘She's a spinster.’.. ‘Don't you start!’ said Hugh explosively.
1992 J. L'Heureux Shrine at Altamira iii. 157 ‘He misses you,’ Ana Luisa said. ‘Don't start, Mother. Just don't start.’
2003 C. Birch Turn again Home xxxii. 366 ‘All these years, you could have been friends.’‘Oh, don't you start,’ Bessie snorted loudly.
Phrasal verbs
PV1. With adverbs in specialized senses. to start in to start off † 1. intransitive. To veer away; (in non-physical senses) to deviate from a course, mode of action, etc. Obsolete or merged in other senses. to start out † 2. transitive. to start over to start up † 3. transitive. To unearth or track (something) down; to discover suddenly. Obsolete.Cf. sense 7 of the simple verb.Quot. 1674 may show sense 2b.† 4. intransitive. Of a child: to grow up rapidly. Obsolete.
intransitive. colloquial.
a. To begin (to do something). Cf. to start out 4a at Phrasal verbs 1.Quot. 1737 (and quot. 1830, which closely echoes it) may represent a slightly different sense in Scottish usage; other examples before the 20th cent. are predominantly from U.S. contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)]
beginc1000
onginOE
aginOE
ginc1175
to go tillc1175
to take onc1175
comsea1225
fanga1225
to go toc1275
i-ginc1275
commencec1320
to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400
to lay to one's hand(sc1405
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to set toc1425
standa1450
to make to1563
to fall to it1570
to start out1574
to fall to1577
to run upon ——1581
to break off1591
start1607
to set in1608
to set to one's hands1611
to put toa1616
to fall ona1625
in1633
to fall aboard1642
auspicatea1670
to set out1693
to enter (into) the fray1698
open1708
to start in1737
inchoate1767
to set off1774
go1780
start1785
to on with1843
to kick off1857
to start in on1859
to steam up1860
to push off1909
to cut loose1923
to get (also put) the show on the road1941
to get one's arse in gear1948
1737 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. IV. 168 When we had three times toom'd our Stoup..In started, to heeze up our hope, Young Andro.
1830 W. Scott Lady of Lake Introd., in Poet. Wks. (new ed.) VII. p. v I remember that about the same time a friend started in to ‘heeze up my hope’, like the minstrel in the old song.
1843 ‘R. Carlton’ New Purchase II. lii. 200 The second fiddle..was sometimes so utterly lost, that Dan would tell him to stop, and ‘start in when the tune kim round agin!’
1865 J. W. Barber & H. Howe Loyal West 687 Late on Saturday evening the Almighty started in to make a tremendous great river.
1885 Lisbon (Dakota Territory) Star 2 Jan. 7/1 The United States commissioner for Dakota..started in to give the world a comprehensive idea of the resources..of the territory.
1902 O. Wister Virginian xxix. 371 I was starting in to die when she found me.
1912 P. G. Wodehouse Prince & Betty iv. 53 Then we start in.
1978 T. Allbeury Lantern Network vii. 87 Chaland had started in straightaway. ‘Bonnier your group is far too big.’
1990 P. Matthiessen Killing Mister Watson (1991) 212 Charlie T. laughed..and Isaac whooped again and slapped his thigh, and some women started in to hissing about sacrilege.
2001 D. Freund Four Corners vi. 79 She knew damn well that they'd start in as soon as the truck left the driveway.
b. to start in on (or upon).
(a) To make a start on an activity, enterprise, topic, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)]
beginc1000
onginOE
aginOE
ginc1175
to go tillc1175
to take onc1175
comsea1225
fanga1225
to go toc1275
i-ginc1275
commencec1320
to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400
to lay to one's hand(sc1405
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to set toc1425
standa1450
to make to1563
to fall to it1570
to start out1574
to fall to1577
to run upon ——1581
to break off1591
start1607
to set in1608
to set to one's hands1611
to put toa1616
to fall ona1625
in1633
to fall aboard1642
auspicatea1670
to set out1693
to enter (into) the fray1698
open1708
to start in1737
inchoate1767
to set off1774
go1780
start1785
to on with1843
to kick off1857
to start in on1859
to steam up1860
to push off1909
to cut loose1923
to get (also put) the show on the road1941
to get one's arse in gear1948
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack with hostile words or measures
fangc1320
hurtlec1374
impugnc1384
weighc1386
to fall upon ——a1398
to start on ——a1398
oppugn?1435
to lay to, untoa1500
onseta1522
wipe1523
to set against ——1542
to fall aboard——1593
aggress1596
to fall foul1602
attack1613
appugn1615
to set upon ——1639
to fall on ——1641
to lay home, hard, hardly to1650
tack1720
bombard1766
savage1796
to pitch into ——1823
to begin upon a personc1825
bulldog1842
to down on (also upon)a1848
to set at ——1849
to start on ——a1851
to start in on1859
set on at or to1862
to let into1872
to go for ——1890
swash1890
slog1891
to get at ——1893
tee1955
1859 Calif. Culturist Mar. 438 As we really want to talk about hogs, and our rule being always to use the fewest words and the shortest, in expressing our ideas, we shall start in on hog.
1887 Harper's Young People 17 May 459/1 I'm exactly in the same condition as I was when I started in on my speculations.
1925 J. Buchan John Macnab vii. 144 In this country, once you start in on politics you're fixed in a class and members of a hierarchy.
1940 H. R. S. Society Rag Nov. 2/1 Clarinetist Albert Nichols starts in on some old standard like High Society or maybe Dinah.
2005 J. Weiner Goodnight Nobody ix. 80 Back in the kitchen, I started in on the sinkful of dishes.
(b) To attack physically or verbally; to make an onslaught upon. Cf. to start on —— at Phrasal verbs 2.
ΚΠ
1861 7th Ann. Rep. Iowa State Agric. Soc. 1860 300 They [sc. army worms] started in upon a field of oats belonging to one of our citizens..; after advancing some ten or fifteen feet into the field..they suddenly ceased their work of destruction and disappeared.
1891 Ballou's Monthly Mag. Nov. 428/1 I thought ev'ry minnit, soon's he'd satisfied himself that I war fit to kill, he'd start in on me.
1953 K. Tennant Joyful Condemned iii. 23 I'll give you five minutes, and then I'll start in on you. So hand over the two quid.
1968 N. Bethell & D. Burg tr. A. Solzhenitsyn Cancer Ward I. xxi. 332 The critics may start in on you.
2003 R. Liddle Too Beautiful for You (2004) 187 I lose it a bit and really start in on her.
Π
1613 R. Anton Moriomachia sig. D2 Both their horses most vnfortunately started off so farre, that the one could not come neere to touch the other with his Launce.
1622 G. Wither Iuuenilia sig. Dd5v From starting off from that I haue begun, I vn-appalled dare in such a case Rip vp his foulest Crimes before his face.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. ix. 168 I have sometimes known her argue not only with method, but with acuteness, and then, in a moment, start off into madness.
1866 Spectator 20 Oct. 71/2 The one nugget in that gentleman's voluminous reminiscences..is the perfection of wild, unbridled humour, starting off at all sorts of tangents.
2. transitive.
a. To cause to begin to move; to launch upon a journey, trajectory, etc.
Π
1686 R. Blome Gentlemans Recreation ii. xi. 8 Start him off roundly, and run him to the very top of what he can do during the whole Course.
1826 Niles' Weekly Reg. 9 Sept. 32/2 The vessel was started off a little before eleven o'clock.
1890 Mrs. Kingscote Tales of Sun x. 125 This she gave to the brothers to eat on their way, and started them off to the woods.
1929 E. S. Osgood Day of Cattleman (1954) 75 Cheyenne fed them, outfitted them, and started them off in great caravans for the Hills.
1976 Daily Herld (Biloxi, Mississippi) 22 Apr. a2/7 He nodded, turned around and started the car off for the drive to his home.
1999 D. Drake Servant of Dragon (2000) i. 44 Casses gave Ermand a nudge, starting him off toward the atrium with a spastic jolt.
b. To cause (a person) to begin to do something (without reference to movement).
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)] > cause (a person) to begin to do something
launch1602
start1757
to set on1823
to start off1844
to set off1863
1844 J. T. Headley tr. ‘C. Sealsfield’ North & South 19/1 Gourney had again got into his enthusiastic Yankee mood..; but as Whitley asked, ‘How did she look—tell us?’ it started him off again.
1922 S. Lewis Babbitt ix. 128 But the psychical research had started them off again.
1946 E. O'Neill Iceman Cometh i. 54 Jimmy's started them off smoking the same hop.
2010 J. Clift Unconventional Life 60 That started us off laughing again.
3. intransitive.
a. To begin to move; to set off; to set out upon a journey.to start off on the wrong (or right) foot: see foot n. and int. Phrases 4f(a).
Π
?a1775 W. Bartram Trav. Georgia & Florida in Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. (1943) 33 159/2 They [sc. Indians] left us, mounted their sprightly active siminoles, started off whooping and singing through the extended savanah.
1825 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Oct. 427/1 The signal being given, the engine started off with this immense train of carriages.
1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol ii. 60 New top couple starting off again, as soon as they got there.
1857 J. G. Swan Northwest Coast 54 Russell and the captain..started off to render assistance.
1905 R. Bagot Passport ii. 12 Settling himself in his saddle, Sor Beppe started off at an easy canter.
1953 Landfall June 95 He hawked twice and started off back to the house.
2009 S. Hely How I became Famous Novelist 134 David told us to follow him, and he started off down a side street.
b. To begin to take place, emerge, etc. (without reference to movement).
Π
1884 Mexican Let. in Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. Aug. This department of business that started off so brashly has played out.
1900 Congress. Rec. 31 Jan. 1368/2 A paper in Mississippi said it was sorry to see the campaign starting off with such acrimony.
1937 Thrilling Wonder Stories Aug. 120/2 The strip started off very well, but I must agree with others that it is rapidly degenerating into the juvenile antics of a musclebound superhero.
1989 W. Houston Inside Maple Leaf Gardens viii. 86 When the team started off poorly, he put the two stars—Sittler and McDonald—on recallable waivers, which was widely reported.
2009 Living Blues Feb. 40/3 The disc starts off with..a shamelessly doggish anthem to the joys of love-'em-and-leave-'em hijinks.
4. transitive. To begin to live through (a period distinguished by a specified characteristic or status).
Π
1929 Centralia (Illinois) Evening Sentinel 19 Dec. 5/3 William H. Polack, 33, started off his married life in a bad way.
1949 F. G. O'Neill Ernest Reuben Lilienthan & his Family xv. 96 They started off married life in complete harmony.
1995 Times 15 Nov. (Interface section) 6/3 This assistant professor..started off life as a gifted but socially inadequate young man, became a woman and is now a ‘transgender’.
2007 D. Shomette Shipwrecks, Sea Raiders, & Maritime Disasters along Delmarva Coast xviii. 206 William F. Palmer had not started off his professional life in the shipping business.
1. intransitive.† b. To make an attack on (or upon) a person, esp. from a place of concealment. Cf. to start in b(b) at Phrasal verbs 1. Obsolete.
a. To emerge suddenly, as from a place of concealment. Now rare.Cf. also use with out of at sense 2a of the simple verb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > from concealment, confinement, or obscurity
to break outOE
to come forthOE
to start outa1382
unnesta1413
to break covert (also cover)1602
untapis1602
unkennel1695
emerge1700
unburrow1744
tibble1840
tib1853
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > suddenly
springeOE
outleaplOE
outspring?a1200
loukc1275
start?1316
bursta1325
to start outa1382
out-braida1400
sprentc1400
thringa1500
flush1548
flunge1582
protrude1626
explode1840
flounce1865
plunge1891
dartle1893
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1965) Tobit ii. 3 He..anoon stertinge out [L. exiliens] fro his mete seete, leuynge þe mete: fastinge cam to þe bodi.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) viii. l. 1392 With this noise and with this cry, Out of a barge faste by..Men sterten out.
c1480 (a1400) St. Philip 17 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 176 A fel dragone, lyk to be wod, come startand owt al sudanly.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Præsilio, silire, to lepe before, to sterte oute.
1579 H. C. Forrest of Fancy sig. f.iv Knocking at the gate, Straight started out an ougly wighte.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1652 (1955) III. 69 At a place calld the procession Oake, started out two Cutt-throates.
1729 Proc. Old Bailey 3 Dec. 23/1 The Prisoner started out from behind a Brewhouse, knock'd me down and bruised me.
1825 tr. F. H. K. de La Motte Fouqué Magic Ring III. xvii. 201 Suddenly..there started out from the rustling thickets a strange and unlooked-for figure.
1899 Secret Service 4 Aug. 6/1 At this moment the wolf-dog started out from under the bench with a growl.
1939 Auk 56 332 A second later, a jerky head started out from behind a cat-tail clump and a gallinule burst out into the open.
Π
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions i. vi. sig. F.viv Assone as thei [sc. greate beastes] haue druncken, and haue well laden their bealies with watre, the Ethiopes startynge out [L. adoriuntur] vpon them with stakes..and with arrowes, and suche like weapon, at this aduauntage slea them vpon heapes.
1665 R. Head Eng. Rogue I. xxxiii. 263 Passing by a small Coppice in a bottom between two Hills, a Gentleman..well armed, and handsomely accoutred, started out upon me, and bid me deliver instantly.
1693 Vertue Rewarded 53 The Prince, methought, in my absence, had hidden himself in my Bed-chamber, and, when I came in, started out upon me.
1734 Proc. Old Bailey 11 Sept. 176/1 When we came to the End of the Field, the same Man started out upon West, from behind a Hedge.
1823 Asiatic Jrnl. & Monthly Reg. Mar. 291/2 He allowed him to open a drawer and begin taking out some articles, and then started out upon him.
1863 H. Holl King's Mail II. 98 The guard..told the crowd of anxious listeners how the four men had started out on him.
1865 A. Smith Summer in Skye I. 226 All at once the prince started out upon him like another Meg Merrilees, a large knotted stick in his fist.
a. To flush out (a quarry); = sense 7a(a). Also in extended use. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > drive from lair or cover
starta1393
raisec1425
to put upa1475
rear1486
uprear1486
to start out1519
rouse1531
uncouch?a1562
to den outa1604
dislodge1632
tufta1640
draw1781
jump1836
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria xxxii. f. 283v I haue nede of a feret, to let into this beery to styrt out the conies: that they may be take aboue ground.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xl. 1077 When we beat all the blind bushes, by-woods, & thickets, to start him out, we had much ado to find [him].
b. To bring to light; to cause to become apparent; to put forth, produce. Obsolete.
ΘΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > project from (something) [verb (transitive)] > cause to project or stretch forth
straightc1400
protend?a1475
shoot1533
raise1568
to set out1573
project1624
protrude1638
to start out1653
penthouse1655
portend1657
to throw out1689
obtend1697
to lay out1748
bumfle1832
out-thrust1855
rank1867
1653 J. Davies tr. C. Sorel Extravagant Shepherd vii. 186 If I had made verses for the first [lass], I endeavored to start out the same occasion for to present them to the second.
1657 J. Davies tr. G. Naudé Hist. Magick ix. 87 The wantonizing conjectures of this Writer..proceed..from an ambition in him to start out some new observation upon so thread-bare a subject.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. J. Albert de Mandelslo 260 in Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors It is somewhat strange, that at so great a distance from the Continent, the Sea should start out an Island about 7. Leagues in compass.
3. intransitive. To project, to stand out; to become visible or conspicuous, to burst into view.In quot. 1566: (perhaps) to become displaced from its proper position (cf. sense 11b).
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > be visible [verb (intransitive)] > appear or become visible > suddenly
bursta1325
swirk?a1513
to start out1566
flash1590
rush1594
spring1698
upstart1874
1566 T. Blundeville Order curing Horses Dis. cxxiv. f. 90v, in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe Let it [sc. a cord] be so much strayned, as it may bring hys sore leg more forwarde than the other, to kepe the bone from starting out.
1610 G. Markham Maister-peece ii. clix. 469 You shall see the ends of the veines start out like pape heads.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Jetting along, or out, a Man Dancing in his Gate, or Going; also a House starting out farther than the rest in the Row.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. ix. 90 On the sides [of the gulph] pyramidical rocks starting out between apertures that emit smoke and flame.
1825 R. Chambers Trad. Edinb. I. 236 The pin..was formed of a small rod of iron, twisted or notched, which was placed perpendicularly, starting out a little from the door, and bore a small ring of the same metal.
1863 J. Hughes Pract. Photogr. (1866) 21 If it [sc. the image] start out at once, directly the developer has flowed over the plate, the exposure has been too long.
1889 E. J. Wickson Calif. Fruits 160 When the twigs below start out a little way pinch off the terminal bud.
1907 G. M. Fenn Trapped by Malays xxxvi. 339 The scene..seemed to start out vividly and picture itself before the listener's eyes.
1983 J. Fuller Flying to Nowhere i. 11 The creature strove fiercely, muscles and veins starting out from its neck and flanks.
4. intransitive.
a. To begin or proceed to do something; to make a start (on or upon a task, enterprise, etc.).Apparently rare until the mid 19th century, when it began to be common in U.S. use.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)]
beginc1000
onginOE
aginOE
ginc1175
to go tillc1175
to take onc1175
comsea1225
fanga1225
to go toc1275
i-ginc1275
commencec1320
to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400
to lay to one's hand(sc1405
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to set toc1425
standa1450
to make to1563
to fall to it1570
to start out1574
to fall to1577
to run upon ——1581
to break off1591
start1607
to set in1608
to set to one's hands1611
to put toa1616
to fall ona1625
in1633
to fall aboard1642
auspicatea1670
to set out1693
to enter (into) the fray1698
open1708
to start in1737
inchoate1767
to set off1774
go1780
start1785
to on with1843
to kick off1857
to start in on1859
to steam up1860
to push off1909
to cut loose1923
to get (also put) the show on the road1941
to get one's arse in gear1948
1574 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Job cli. 712/1 I would fayne start out [Fr. m'esgayer] to play the suttleheaded fellow in replying against God.
1691 tr. G. P. Marana Lett. Turkish Spy II. ii. v. 132 [It] hindred his Respiration so long, that his Nose suddenly started out a-bleeding.
1826 New Monthly Mag. 17 17 I ever thought that playing before a private audience is more terrific than starting out on the public stage.
1849 H. Bibb Narr. Life & Adventures iv. 47 By the permission of my keeper, I started out to work for myself on Christmas.
1858 Southern Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 14 491 Start out to deal with it, under the firm and full conviction, that you cannot cure it; and this conviction..will save the life of many a patient.
1865 U. S. Grant in Cent. Mag. (1889) Nov. 146/2 The whole captures since the army started out gunning, will amount to not less than twelve thousand men and probably fifty pieces of artillery.
1908 Edinb. Rev. July 94 He is a rash person who would start out to explain the evolution of the Martian canals from a spiral nebula.
1974 Times 19 Apr. 15/5 A sports parachutist just starting out could expect to spend £500 on his kit.
1992 Economist 2 May 143/2 [He] believes that South Africans, in effect, are starting out to build the ‘new South Africa’ saddled with a large mortgage and a variable interest rate.
2013 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 18 Oct. 42 When we started out only a few people came to our gigs.
b. To begin upon one's way, begin a journey; = to set out 23a at set v.1 Phrasal verbs 2.
ΘΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > set out
forthfarec888
foundOE
seta1000
to go forthOE
to fare forthc1200
partc1230
to pass forthc1325
to take (the) gatec1330
to take the wayc1330
to take one's waya1375
puta1382
treunt?a1400
movec1400
depart1490
prepare?1518
to set forth1530
to set forward(s)1530
busklea1535
to make out1558
to take forth1568
to set out1583
sally1590
start1591
to go off1600
to put forth1604
to start outa1626
intend1646
to take the road1720
to take one's foot in one's hand1755
to set off1774
to get off1778
to set away1817
to take out1855
to haul out1866
to hit the trail (less commonly the grit, pike, road, etc.)1873
to hit, split or take the breeze1910
hop1922
a1626 L. Andrewes XCVI Serm. (1629) 713 Not to start out, till we be sent; nor to goe on our owne heads, but to stay till we be called.
1680 R. L'Estrange Seasonable Memorial 4 There started out a Party upon the Forelorn, to make Discoveries, and try the Temper of the Government.
1717 Censor 2 May 147 Others started out to the Quarters of Poverty.
1788 Whitehall Evening-post 21–23 Oct. Our ships of war would then be ready at all times to start out..for the prevention of any illicit trade.
1843 Godey's Lady's Bk. June 288/1 He turned his steps towards his son's store as soon as he started out for a walk.
1895 Northwestern Reporter 64 507/1 When she [sc. a tug] started out on that morning, the fire was raked down.
1933 E. O'Neill Ah, Wilderness! ii. 71 He dared me to race him... So I said all right and we started out. We swam and swam and were pretty evenly matched.
1978 W. F. Buckley Stained Glass xii. 117 There are escort vessels, and it is quite a muddle if every boat decides for itself when to start out.
2014 B. T. Sissel Safe Keeping iii. 30 The drive down to the beach wasn't bad. If you started out early enough, it made a nice day trip.
c. With subject complement (sometimes preceded by as or to be). To be (what is expressed by the complement) initially or at the outset (in later use generally in contrast to subsequently becoming something different).
Π
1747 J. Mottley Compl. List Poets & Plays in T. Whincop Scanderbeg 237/1 He [sc. David Garrick] commenced Player in the Year 1740..and started out such an Actor at once, as, I believe, no one ever did before him.
?1797 H. More Hist. Mr. Fantom 3 To start out a full grown philosopher at once, to be wise without education..was a short cut to fame, which well suited his vanity.
1839 London & Westm. Rev. 19/1 We see the rough, sorrowful, over-violent, voracious, unrefined man, start out as a hero, a worn, unwearied wrestler for conscience sake.
1894 D. L. Moody in Northfield Echoes I. 273 Forty years before he had started out as a good many college students have started.
1913 Michigan Alumnus May 386 He started out an ordinary homeless peace-loving colored man. But he soon found out it was no use.
1935 Reno (Nevada) Evening Gaz. 15 Apr. 1/3 They were enjoying what started out to be a balmy Sunday when the duster swept out of the North over western Kansas and eastern Colorado.
1971 A. Heilbut Gospel Sound vi. 136 Her voice..may start out a loud, shaky baritone and then soar to a gravelly falsetto.
2013 Irish Farmers Jrnl. 6 Apr. (Irish Country Living section) 30/2 Basically, you start out as a farm worker and progress to become a farm manager.
intransitive. Originally and chiefly North American. To begin again; to make a fresh start. Also transitive: to begin (something) again.Instances of to start over again may in some cases be uses of the simple verb with over again (see over adv. 15b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > again
renulec1384
recommence1481
return1568
continue1711
resume1815
to start over1852
to start over1852
to pick up1906
1852 Western Hort. Rev. Jan. 189/2 I should rather amputate or decapitate the whole tree, and start over again.
1877 T. N. Vail Let. 25 Jan. 2 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (44th Congr., 2nd Sess.: Senate Misc. Doc. 35) I The mail to be delivered to all other roads would go back to Saint Louis to start over, and be thus delayed.
1890 Irish Times 3 Dec. 5/8 The Liberal party would become useless, and they would have to start over again.
1924 F. S. Fitzgerald Let. 27 Oct. (1964) 168 I'm tired of being the author of This Side of Paradise and I want to start over.
1965 M. Bradbury Stepping Westward ii. 112 Now go back to the beginning and start over.
1987 M. Kochanski Northern Bushcraft (1988) x. 250 The process is then carried out in reverse or started over again.
2010 N.Y. Times Mag. 25 July 3 The first great existential crisis of the digital age: the impossibility of erasing your posted past, starting over, moving on.
1. intransitive.
a. To rise suddenly to one's feet; to spring to an upright position. Also: to get up after having been asleep or otherwise inactive; to bestir oneself; to awaken suddenly.In early use also transitive (reflexive) in same sense.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > bestir oneself
arisec825
to start upc1275
stirc1275
shifta1400
awakea1450
to put out one's fins?1461
wake1523
to shake one's ears1580
rouse1589
bestira1616
awaken1768
arouse1822
waken1825
to wake snakes1835
roust1841
to flax round1884
to get busy1896
to get one's arse in gear1948
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of standing up or rising > rise or be standing [verb (intransitive)] > rise > quickly or suddenly
to start upc1275
upstart1303
leapc1330
upspringc1374
uprapea1400
boltc1425
starta1470
spring1474
rear1835
rare1886
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11952 Þær Bruttes wolden ouer water buȝen. ȝif Arður up ne sturte [c1300 Otho storte] strec-liche sone.
c1300 St. Brendan (Laud) l. 456 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 232 (MED) Þe fisches sturten op with þis song ase þei huy a-woken a-slepe.
c1330 Roland & Vernagu (Auch.) (1882) 816 When rouland herd þat steuen, He stirt him vp ful euen, & fauȝt wiþ hert fre.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 1569 So loude þey herde one cry & wepe; Þey sterte vp alle for to see what wundyr þyng þat myȝt be.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1904) I. 83 Þis cokk starte vpp with his fedurs on, & clappid samen hys wengis, & krew.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xiv. 10 And he stert vppe, and walked.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 735/1 I sterte up sodaynly out of my bedde.
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. iii. 99 She..now falls on her bed, and then starts vp. View more context for this quotation
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 48 Andronicus..in great rage start vp and said.
1653 D. Osborne Lett. to Sir W. Temple (1888) 176 I, that had not said a word all night, started up at that, and desired they would say a little more on't, for I had not marked the beginning.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 813 Up he starts Discoverd and surpriz'd. View more context for this quotation
1704 Boston News-let. 17 July 3/2 Champney started up, and took an Ax and knock'd him in the head.
a1743 J. Cannon Chrons. (2010) I. 171 In the horse track sat a hare which would not be moved a long time till at last by my whipping her she started up & crossed the road into a field of wheat very fast.
1775 N. W. Wraxall Cursory Remarks Tour N. Europe 306 Two..ill-looking figures started up at the same moment, like automatons actuated by springs.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality ix, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 176 ‘The de'il, woman!’ exclaimed Cuddie, starting up, ‘trow ye that I am blind?’
1840 W. M. Thackeray Shabby Genteel Story iii ‘This is too bad!’ said Mrs. G. starting up.
1861 Temple Bar Nov. 536 I started up a little more from sleep when I heard that the Loggie of Raphael..were not to be restored, but copied.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 7 Chaerephon..started up and ran to me, seizing my hand.
1914 E. H. W. Hulse Let. 28 Dec. in L. Housman War Lett. Fallen Englishmen (2002) 147 An old hare started up... I gave one loud ‘View Holloa’, and one and all..rushed about giving chase.
1981 D. Anderson Rough Layout xix. 148 He started up out of the sofa so quickly at the news, that he almost knocked over her potted Benjamina.
2001 N. Roberts Betrayal in Death iv. 64 She started up as she spoke, breaking off when he laid a hand on her arm.
b. Of the hair: to stand on end; to bristle; to stick up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > horripilation > [verb (intransitive)]
bristle1480
to stick upa1500
to stand or start widdershins1513
upstart1513
starta1522
stare?1523
to start up1553
rousea1616
horripilate1623
stiver1790
uprise1827
upstare1886
1553 R. Horne tr. J. Calvin Certaine Homilies ii. sig. Giij So to fray vs, that for fear the hears of our heade shold stert vpp.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iv. 113 Your bedded haire..Start vp and stand an end. View more context for this quotation
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 249 The hair of my head so started up, that it threw my cap on the ground.
1706 N. Rowe Ulysses v. i. 58 Tho' my offended Father's angry Ghost Shou'd rise all pale and bloody just before me. 'Till my Hair started up.
1796 G. D. Harley Poems 142 Things that wou'd freeze th' arrested blood to feel, And but to hear, make the fell'd hair start up.
1815 W. Scott Antiquary I. ix. 121 Had the superincumbent weight of her headdress..been less preponderant, her grey locks must have started up on end, and hurled it from its position.
1875 H. E. Scudder Doings Bodley Family xv. 243 In this chair sat the old man, with his immense form, his white hair starting up from his head.
1902 F. McElrath Rustler xxiii. 371 His hair started up in terror.
1998 W. J. Schafer Mapping Godzone vi. 140 It is the hair starting up on the back of the neck or the nightmare sensation of being suddenly injected into an unexplored and forbidden space.
c. Of a hill, mountain, etc.: to rise distinctly or sharply from the surrounding terrain.
ΘΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > rising ground or eminence > rise [verb (intransitive)]
swell1679
to start up1802
1802 Monthly Rev. Feb. 121 An insulated ridge, about a quarter of a mile in length..with broken crags starting up amid the moss and heath with which it is covered.
1820 W. Scott Monastery II. ii. 93 A beautiful green knoll, which started up suddenly in the very throat of a..narrow glen.
1877 H. Dixon Diana, Lady Lyle II. vii. i. 173 This nose of land starts up into a nab or peak, on which stands a feudal edifice.
1908 C. Field With Afghans vi. 96 A peculiar feature of the Yusufzai landscape is found in isolated hills starting up from the middle of the plain.
2000 T. Olson Write Let. to Billy xvi. 191 Beyond the alley, the hill started up, low scrub there and wildflowers on the embankment.
2.
a. intransitive. Of a person: to rise rapidly to power, importance, or public attention; to become suddenly conspicuous, renowned, influential, etc.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (intransitive)] > become important
to start up1549
1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 7th Serm. sig. Ccvii Ther be new spirits start vp now of late, that saye after we haue receyued the spyryt, we cannot synne.
1550 N. Udall tr. P. M. Vermigli Disc. Sacrament Lordes Supper f. lxiii Anone ther started vp a kynde of heritiques called Euchite, whyche thought that we ought to vse continual prayers, neuer ceasyng to murmure.
a1566 Q. Kennedy Compend. Ressonyng in 2 Eucharistic Tracts (1964) 171 Haif we nocht seyn in oure dayes ane bletour stert vp to be ane bischop..ane pultroun to be ane priour.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 22 Vp start the Turks, a vagrant, fierce, and cruell people.
1679 J. Goodman Penitent Pardoned (1713) ii. v. 236 In the turning of an hand a lewd and flagitious person starts up a great saint.
1741 T. Francklin tr. Cicero Of Nature of Gods i. 16 Now I would demand of you both, why these World-builders [L. mundi aedificatores] started up so suddenly, and lay dormant so many Ages?
1778 H. Brooke Antony & Cleopatra i. i, in Coll. Pieces II. 332 In the want of a more powerful hand, Or wiser head to rule, some new adventurer Starts up to signiorship.
1802 Public Characters 552 The Jumpers in Wales have started up as a sect within the last half century.
1895 W. S. Robinson Short Hist. Greece xliii. 350 Tyrant after tyrant started up, till at last Dionysius himself came back and ruled more oppressively than ever.
1934 Punch 17 Oct. 432/3 Here have we been..not paying our outfitters for years, and now up starts a young doctor..and undermines the cause for which we have so freely refused to be bled.
1993 A. Lasalle in K. Kann Comrades & Chicken Ranchers (1996) 139 Our Jewish people actually won more community sympathy when Hitler started up.
b. intransitive. More generally: to come into being or notice, esp. suddenly or unexpectedly; to spring up.
ΘΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (intransitive)] > come into existence
awakenc885
waxc888
arisec950
beOE
comeOE
aspringc1000
atspringOE
growOE
to come upOE
inrisea1300
breedc1385
upspringc1386
takec1391
to come in?c1430
engender?1440
uprise1471
braird?a1500
risea1513
insurde1521
insurge1523
spring1538
to start up1568
exsurge1578
upstart1580
become1605
born1609
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > begin [verb (intransitive)]
beginc1000
comsea1225
gin?c1225
becomsea1375
commencec1380
to take beginninga1400
enterc1425
to start up1568
initiatea1618
inchoate1654
dawn1716
to take in1845
to take up1846
to set in1848
1568 Wyf of Auchtirmwchty l. 82 in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 323 Than he beur kendling to the kill Bot scho start all vp in ane low.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 77 Litle and litle thair forces beginning to florishe weiris of new startis vpe.
1629 Vse of Law 58 in J. Doddridge Lawyers Light Since..these notable Statutes..there is start up a device called Perpetuitie.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iv. xlvii. 386 So did the Papacy start up on a Sudden out of the Ruines.
1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity i. ii. 18 You are wont to object to us..that our Religion is novel, start up not many days ago.
1753 T. Smollett Ferdinand Count Fathom II. xliv. 67 When he fled for shelter to the flattering creation of fancy, some abhorred idea always started up amidst the gay vision, and dissolved the pleasing enchantment.
1775 Earl of Carlisle in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1844) III. 132 I am surrounded by difficulties, and as fast as I get the better of one another starts up.
1779 Universal Mag. 64 Suppl. 357/1 When the institution of chivalry started up, it gave a happy turn to this rudeness of manners.
1780 Mirror No. 102 Half a dozen societies have started up this winter, in which female speakers exercise their powers of elocution.
1836 C. P. Traill Backwoods of Canada 257 A village has started up where formerly a thick pinewood covered the ground.
1857 Youth's Mag. (N.Y.) 9 283 Stray words..start up on every side to the plodding word-lover, as he seeks to thread his way through the ‘maze of hoar antiquity’.
1895 P. Hemingway Out of Egypt ii. 158 A new conversation starts up every hour, and..there is never time to work to a conclusion.
1952 J. Steinbeck East of Eden xxiii. 288 There had been a little rain and a fuzz of miserly grass had started up.
1997 P. Seabright in P. Dasgupta & K.-G. Mäler Environment & Emerging Devel. Issues II. xi. 299 Many co-operative societies have started up only to fold again relatively quickly.
c. transitive. To cause to come into existence, notice, prominence, etc. Now rare or merged in 5c.
ΚΠ
1677 M. Nedham 2nd Pacquet Advices 52 His Mastership hereupon starts up an invidious Question, Whether the King may dispence with Laws and Statutes?
1681 ‘Philopatris’ Plot in Dream iii. 72 No sooner one Treason was knockt down, but presently like Hydra's heads they hatch and start up a new one.
1717 W. Fleetwood Let. New Ceremonies Church 14 What if, after all, these Innovations..be..meerly to start up a New Distinction, and make a farther Difference betwixt [etc.]?
1803 R. Polwhele Hist. Cornwall I. i. ix. 196 The original British language..was doomed..to cross the seas and seek the Continent, starting up a new dialect on the shores of Armorica.
1894 C. A. McMurry Special Method Reading of Compl. Eng. Classics i. 17 The time usually spent in school upon some classic fragment or selection is barely sufficient to start up an interest.
1998 H. Carruth Reluctantly 140 I learned to start up a fire quickly with dry kindling.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > by searching or tracking down
findOE
track1565
to start up1566
explore1592
to find forth1601
tracea1913
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > finding or discovery > find or discover [verb (transitive)] > find suddenly or unexpectedly
espy1483
to start up1566
strike1851
surprise1890
1566 T. Drant in tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. Ciiij To sterte vp in astrologie The casuals of men. [No corresponding sentence in the Latin original.]
a1652 J. Smith Select Disc. (1660) viii. i. 350 The Minds of men..are ever and anon roving after Religion; and as they casually and fortuitously start up any Models and Ideas of it, they are presently prone to believe themselves to have found out this only Pearl of price.
1674 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 203 Now that this is almost consented to..a Patent of Sr Thomas Armstrong's is started up to obstruct it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > development, growth, or degeneration > [verb (intransitive)] > grow
waxc1000
thrivec1175
breeda1350
grow1382
springc1384
upgrowc1430
shoot1538
bud1566
eche1567
to start up1570
vegetate1605
excresce1691
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 2122/1 Thou art but a beardles boy, start vp yesterday out of the scholes.
1629 J. Ford Lovers Melancholy ii. 26 I haue a fist for thee too (Strippling) th'art started vp prettily since I saw thee.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iv. vi. 103 From a child he starts up a youth, and becomes a stripling.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison II. xiv. 152 Girls will start up, and look up, and parents cannot help it.
1835 Friendship's Offering 277 Those whom he had known as children had started up into young women, a process remarkably rapid in that country.
5.
a. intransitive. To begin to function or operate; to begin playing, singing, etc.; to become active in a particular sphere, profession, etc.
Π
1829 Edinb. Lit. Jrnl. 18 Apr. 313 Half-and-half works, where the author is entirely lost sight of in one page, and starts up again, prosy and egotistical, in the next.
1867 Amer. Jrnl. Mining 6 Apr. 28/3 The Twenty Friends [well] has started up again.
1885 Maine Farmer 5 Nov. A young man..just starting up in the business of farming.
1926 Blackwood's Mag. May 595/2 The ‘whomp’ of an orchestra starting up in some theatre.
1969 D. Carpenter Murder of Frogs 187 I heard the birds starting up outside.
1976 P. Haines Kind of War ii. iv. 167 The early morning traffic started up and still she was awake.
1987 S. Eldred-Grigg Oracles & Miracles ii. 21 Often as not us kids would be in bed before he got home, and then of course Mum would start up.
2013 M. Dalton Fifteenth Summer 237 As soon as the band started up with a twangy rockabilly tune, everyone around us started dancing.
b. transitive. colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.). With gerund, verbal noun, or infinitive as object: to begin (an action or activity).Cf. sense 17a(a) of the simple verb.
ΚΠ
1862 D. C. Eddy Walter in Egypt x. 125 His Arab guides started up singing a sort of doggerel in broken English.
1911 ‘Q. Allen’ Outdoor Chums xxi. 192 At the last minute we can stop it. When Pet starts up to strike a match, then we'll take a hand.
1946 High Light (Port Credit High School, Ont.) Nov. 5/3 Some poor helpless baby Has started up to cry.
1988 N. Kincaid in S. Ravenel New Stories from South 224 She would pour Mercurochrome into her cuts which would make Melvina holler and start up crying again.
2001 Nation (N.Y.) 7 May 23/1 You start up talking about condoms in this country, and..teens just end up frozen like a deer in the headlights.
c. transitive. To set (a machine, business, etc.) in operation; to cause to begin to function or operate; to establish, institute. Also intransitive.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)] > cause to begin to act or operate
to put (also set) to worka1398
to put on work?1440
streek?a1500
setc1500
to put (also set) in (also into) motion1598
spring1598
to set offa1625
to put (also set) in work1626
to set (a-)going1705
start1822
to start up1865
to set in motion1890
1865 Daily Miners' Reg. (Central City, Colorado) 21 July The Black Hawk Mining Company have started up their new mill on the Gregory Lode.
1889 Hist. Pacific Northwest II. 241/1 He was obliged to close up and borrow $25 to go to Seattle, where he once more started up a business with a partner named Hunt.
1899 National Engineer Oct. 4/3 I found the engine room full of men, boys, etc., to see the expert from the city start up the engine.
1910 Marine Oil Engine Handbk. 14 It is possible to start up from cold on petrol.
1923 Wall St. Jrnl. 30 May 12/4 In January, figures were still in red ink due to starting up production on the new low-priced..model.
1945 C. S. Lewis That Hideous Strength xiv. 383 He started his engine up and they drove away.
1979 D. Clark Heberden's Seat i. 8 A car with a set of jump leads to start me up would do it.
2012 Independent on Sunday 21 Oct. (New Review) 3/1 Before starting up our small bookshop and events venue..we had our local pub landlord round for dinner, and asked for his advice.
PV2. With prepositions in specialized senses.Used (intransitively) forming phrasal constructions with prepositional object. to start from —— to start on —— to start to —— † 1. intransitive. To seize a weapon suddenly or hurriedly. Obsolete (chiefly archaic in later use). to start upon —— to start with ——
intransitive. To take or assume as one's point of departure in a line of reasoning, argument, etc.
ΘΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > argument, source of conviction > use as basis [verb]
ground?1531
predicate1754
to start with ——1820
to start from ——1827
to start from ——1827
1827 Edinb. Jrnl. Sci. Oct. 298 It would be possible to decide the matter at controversy, by starting from a point, at which both parties were agreed.
1870 J. H. Newman Ess. Gram. Assent ii. x. 408 They and I start from the same principles, and what is proof to me is a proof to them.
1902 A. M. Fairbairn Philos. Christian Relig. i. i. 40 The regressive method starts from the completed process and proceeds backward step by step.
1952 J. A. Ramsay Physiol. Approach Lower Animals viii. 131 The other approach..starts from the assumption that the animal is more than the sum of its parts.
2011 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 14 July 40/2 Feynman's picture of the world starts from the idea that the world has two layers, a classical layer and a quantum layer.
1. intransitive (a) To make a sudden attack upon someone or something; to rush at someone or something with hostile intent. (b) To attack someone or something verbally; to begin to berate, harangue, nag, etc., a person.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > attack suddenly
to come on ——eOE
to come upon ——c1175
to start upon ——a1393
to start on ——a1398
descend?a1425
to come down1539
surprise1548
ambuscade1676
insult1775
swoop1797
Pearl Harbour1943
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack with hostile words or measures
fangc1320
hurtlec1374
impugnc1384
weighc1386
to fall upon ——a1398
to start on ——a1398
oppugn?1435
to lay to, untoa1500
onseta1522
wipe1523
to set against ——1542
to fall aboard——1593
aggress1596
to fall foul1602
attack1613
appugn1615
to set upon ——1639
to fall on ——1641
to lay home, hard, hardly to1650
tack1720
bombard1766
savage1796
to pitch into ——1823
to begin upon a personc1825
bulldog1842
to down on (also upon)a1848
to set at ——1849
to start on ——a1851
to start in on1859
set on at or to1862
to let into1872
to go for ——1890
swash1890
slog1891
to get at ——1893
tee1955
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xxxix. 1188 [Mareys hors] is glad of þe noyse of symphony and of a trumpe. And starteþ and reseþ on enemyes [L. saltat in hostem].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 19454 (MED) On steuen all þai stert; þai draf him vte o tun allan, And þai demed him to stain.
1793 J. Trusler Life III. xliv. 172 Ramble started on him, seized him by the wrist that held the dagger, and [etc.].
1838 Niles' National Reg. 18 Aug. 394/3 The fiend that pursued me for a long time previous to 1830, and then let me rest,..has started on me again with redoubled fury.
a1851 W. Cameron Hawkie: Autobiogr. Gangrel (1888) (modernized text) vi. 53 The lodging-house keeper started on him like a terrier..telling him, ‘That she was ashamed to put her head out of the door on account of him.’
1907 G. B. Shaw Major Barbara ii. in John Bull's Other Island 214 When trade is bad..and the employers az to sack arf their men, they generally start on me.
1967 J. Morrison in Coast to Coast 1965–6 140 The minute I mentioned it she started on me.
1998 N. Williams in E. ap Hywel Power 84 Don't start on me now, I can't think, I haven't got time for all that.
2. intransitive. To embark upon a course of action, task, venture, etc.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)]
beginc1000
take?a1160
comsea1225
gina1325
commencec1330
tamec1386
to take upa1400
enterc1510
to stand to1567
incept1569
start1570
to set into ——1591
initiate1604
imprime1637
to get to ——1655
flesh1695
to start on ——1885
1885 1st Ann. Rep. Women's Educ. & Industr. Union 34 We started on our protective duties under the direction of our chairman.
1897 B. Stoker Dracula xx. 268 Sam is a rare one when he starts on the booze.
1915 Winnipeg Free Press 5 June 2/2 The women are getting ready to start on a signature campaign.
1947 ‘A. P. Gaskell’ Big Game 12 The coach would stand on the platform and start on his old game of building us up to fighting pitch.
1990 High Life (Brit. Airways) Sept. 38/2 Even before we start on the film of Phantom we've sold two million albums and CDs.
2006 N.Y. Mag. 3 July 71/2 KT, who enjoys needlepoint herself, would soon start on a Christmas stocking for one of her ‘grans’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp > specifically a weapon
to start to ——c1450
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) 127 Þanne [buskede] a bold kniht & to a bow stirte.
c1450 (?a1400) Sege Melayne (1880) l. 331 And Rowland styrte þan to a brande And hastily hent it owte of a saraȝene hande.
1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Eneados xii. f. cccxliii In the ciete Vtheris stert to thare wappinnis, and thare gere For to defend thare toun.
a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1848) II. 321 He starte to ane halbart, and ten men war skarse able to hald him.
a1628 J. Carmichaell Coll. Prov. in Scots (1957) 109 Weil quo Will quhen his wife dang him, sche start to a sting and said she sould hang him.
1814 W. Scott Border Antiq. I. Introd. p. cxix These ready warriors immediately starting to their weapons, fought it out manfully.
1827 T. D. Lauder Wolfe of Badenoch III. i. 13 When the yate be opened, ye maun rush in like fiends on them, for the hinge do creak, and they will start to their arms wi' the noise.
1861 A. Manning Chron. Ethelfled iii. 57 Meantime, dogs bark, men begin to wake and start to their arms; and, by the time we gain the common hall, all is astir and in confusion.
2. intransitive.
a. Chiefly U.S. To set off for a given destination.
ΚΠ
1802 C. Powys Passages from Diaries Mrs. Powys (1899) 361 Re-started to Hamstall, which we reached by nine.]
1821 Latter Day Luminary Nov. 480 He..had intended shortly to start to Fort Wayne to see me.
1824 Vocal Gleaner I. 199 Come my lads, lets haste away, Let us start to town so jolly.
1881 J. S. Futhey & G. Cope Hist. Chester County (Pa.) 521/2 Dr. Dickey formed a party of a few interested men and started to Baltimore.
1923 Illinois Teacher June 123/2 About a thousand of us should start to San Francisco on June 26.
1994 H. M. Smith in J. L. Coleman & A. Buchanan In Harm's Way xiv. 337 The motorist starts to town with the victim.
2008 L. Domina Poets on Psalms 127 After a noon reading at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, I started to Oklahoma.
b. U.S. To begin to go to school, college, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > [verb (intransitive)] > go to school
scoleyea1400
to start to ——1836
school1857
1836 W. Sewall Diary 10 Aug. (1930) 172/1 Henry and Catherine started to school.
1855 Georgia University Mag. Apr. 15/2 At last the time came for Henry to start to College.
1898 C. A. Bates Clothing Bk. No. 1279 That boy..will have to start to school soon.
1921 Scribner's Mag. Jan. 49/1 When Norton-Edward Cary started to college, his father..agreed to furnish him sufficient capital for fraternity dues.
1994 M. B. Allison Doctor Mary in Arabia i. 9 When I started to college that fall, all my hair came out.
2008 in Dict. Amer. Regional Eng. (2012) V. 260/1 ‘Has your granddaughter started to school yet?’ ‘Oh, yes—she's in second grade already!’
intransitive. = to start on —— 1(a) at Phrasal verbs 2. Now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > attack suddenly
to come on ——eOE
to come upon ——c1175
to start upon ——a1393
to start on ——a1398
descend?a1425
to come down1539
surprise1548
ambuscade1676
insult1775
swoop1797
Pearl Harbour1943
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 2102 He sterte upon him al at ones.
a1425 (a1396) R. Maidstone Paraphr. Seven Penitential Psalms (BL Add. 39574) l. 254 in M. Day Wheatley MS (1921) 30 (MED) Let neuer the feende..Stert vpon me with no stelthe.
1601 R. Dolman tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. III. 385 This kinde of beasts haue the craft to watch passengers in woods, hiding themselues close in the thickest groues of trees which they can finde; out of which they start vpon them like theeues.
1672 Chaucer's Ghoast 19 For the nonce He starts upon him all at once, And caught him in his arms so strong.
1796 G. Walker Theodore Cyphon I. ix. 204 I had not proceeded a hundred yards when a man started upon me, grappled me by the shoulder, and threw me on the ground.
1828 Asiatic Jrnl. & Monthly Reg. Jan. 65/1 The second tiger..suddenly started upon one of the shikaries, whom he threw down by the mere agitation of the air caused by his blow.
1869 Temple Bar Aug. 82 Ralph..stared round him, as if he expected some of the Chancellor's myrmidons to start upon him from the oak panels.
1999 Unity Nov. 70/1 Jim got started upon by some fools who had seemed to mistake the lakeside in Lausanne for a block of the Bronx.
1. intransitive. To take or assume as one's point of departure in a line of reasoning, argument, etc.; = to start from —— at Phrasal verbs 2. Frequently in the progressive in a non-finite clause indicating the point of departure for an activity, as starting with ——.
ΘΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > argument, source of conviction > use as basis [verb]
ground?1531
predicate1754
to start with ——1820
to start from ——1827
to start from ——1827
1820 Trial R. M. Goodwin 30 I start with the assumption that when the knock-down blow was given, Goodwin had no weapon in his hand.
1849 T. Callaway Diss. Dislocations & Fractures 5 To start with certain præcognita.
1883 Cent. Mag. Apr. 900/1 I believe that, in this case, starting with the crude fish-gorge, I can show, step by step, the complete sequence of the fish-hook.
1909 A. A. Brill tr. S. Freud Sel. Papers on Hysteria vii. 167 I started with the presupposition that..this paranoia must contain unconscious thoughts and repressed reminiscences which have to be brought to consciousness..by overcoming a certain resistance.
1976 Listener 29 Jan. 119/1 Let there be a 25 per cent cut in serious music introductions, starting with an absolute ban on [etc.].
1989 T. Parker Place called Bird xii. 146 Right, well we can start with saying we're talking in my office here..and yes, that I'm the SRS officer who deals with Bird.
2005 Yoga Apr. 50/1 He started with the concept that new clothes needed to be designed to represent the west-coast lifestyle and came up with a line of clothes that [etc.].
2007 I. McDonald Brasyl 8 She hated most things about the Black Plumed Bird, starting with the 1950s' clothes she wore unironically in defiance of trend and fashion.
2. intransitive. In parenthetical use as to start with: (a) used to emphasize the first or most significant of a list of reasons, opinions, etc. (= for a start at start n.2 Phrases 10); (b) to begin with, initially, in the first place.
ΘΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > at the beginning [phrase] > to begin with
to start with ——1838
as (also for) a starter1846
for a start1874
for starters1952
for (also as) openers1966
1838 Fraser's Mag. June 699/1 What is a poor devil to do, who..not only has not good looks to start with, but happens to be..‘a very plain man’?
1865 M. Oliphant Agnes I. xxii. 280 Her mind..was of a much higher order than his to start with.
1890 M. Oliphant Kirsteen I. viii. 139 Every window that could be spared, and they were not abundant to start with, had been blocked up on account of the window-tax.
1939 Collier's 23 Sept. 4/3 Anybody who would fight for that dump is slap-happy to start with.
2001 J. D. Watson Genes, Girls & Gamow xxviii. 235 This was not the right time for him to get married. To start with, he could not afford a wife and child.
2010 Field Feb. 109/3 To start with nothing seemed to happen, but then I realised that the bird was ‘getting bigger’.
Compounds
C1. attributive. Designating a control, apparatus, etc., used in starting a device, machine, or process.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > bringing into action > setting in operation > that which
in the drawing of a trigger1871
start1897
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > parts which provide power > [noun] > starters
trigger1621
touch1659
starter1854
touch piece1854
start1897
1897 U.S. Patent 575,523 3/1 The circuit for this device..extends, upon operation of the start-button, from terminal 41 over spring 49, contact-plate 16, spring 48, to and through the coil of magnet 43, to the bottom plate.
1903 Ad Sense Nov. 396/1 They pulled the start lever and letter by letter made the stencil.
1949 Amer. Jrnl. Psych. 62 574 (in figure) Push button start switch.
2013 Wall St. Jrnl. 20 Feb. d2/4 I believe Microsoft sees the tabletlike start screen experience in Windows 8 as the future of Windows... That's why Windows 8 opens in the start screen.
2015 J. Bell Machine Learning vii. 152 Click the Start button, and you see the output window start to output information.
C2. † start-away n. Obsolete (a) a deserter, a renegade; (b) poetic an act of starting away, a sudden deviation from a course.Sense (b) apparently represents an isolated use.† start-back n. Obsolete (a) a deserter, a renegade; (b) an act of starting or springing back.
ΘΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > [noun] > desertion of one's party or principles > one who
renay1340
apostate1362
renegatec1450
starter1519
reniant1532
changeling1539
rannigala1560
recreant1570
turncoat1570
renegado1573
start-away1574
off-faller?1575
start-back1579
departer1586
reneger1597
retrospicientc1600
runagadea1604
renegade1611
turn-tail1621
runagado1623
trip-coata1625
retrogredient1650
retrograde1651
tergiversator1716
rat1755
ratter1819
tergiversant1833
blackleg1844
strike-breaker1904
faller-out1964
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > [noun] > (a) deviation from straight course > sudden deviation
start-away1840
1574 T. Tymme tr. J. de Serres Three Partes Comm. Ciuill Warres Fraunce ii. v. 212 These startawaies had the Kings letters of warrant giuen to euery one of them [L. literis..illis cauebatur].
1615 T. Tuke Christians Looking Glasse 51 Will hee bee carefull that those, which are committed to his care, should not behaue themselues as rebels, and start-awaies?
1840 R. Browning Sordello iii. 632 Some slight weariness, some looking-off Or start-away.
ΘΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > [noun] > desertion of one's party or principles > one who
renay1340
apostate1362
renegatec1450
starter1519
reniant1532
changeling1539
rannigala1560
recreant1570
turncoat1570
renegado1573
start-away1574
off-faller?1575
start-back1579
departer1586
reneger1597
retrospicientc1600
runagadea1604
renegade1611
turn-tail1621
runagado1623
trip-coata1625
retrogredient1650
retrograde1651
tergiversator1716
rat1755
ratter1819
tergiversant1833
blackleg1844
strike-breaker1904
faller-out1964
1579 G. Gilpin tr. P. van Marnix van Sant Aldegonde Bee Hiue of Romishe Church Ep. Ded. sig. **.4 I am thereby persuaded, that the same booke was most worthie to be read ouer of all men, to the ende that all startbackes from the faith [Du. de afgedwaelde], might returne into the right way.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxiii. xviii. 486 These start-backs had no other place of haunt to lurke in, but Capua.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §179 So we see in Strings; the more they are wound vp, and strained; (And thereby giue a more quicke Start-backe;) the more Treble is the Sound.
start cold n. now rare the position which must be given to the lever controlling the mixture of the carburettor when an engine is being started from cold; also attributive.
ΚΠ
1925 Morris Owner's Man. 9 See..that the carburetter mixture control is put over to ‘start cold’.
1945 Engine, Gasoline, Marine, Outboard, Evinrude U.S. War Dept. Techn. Man. ii. 10/2 Turn the fuel control lever at the front of the engine to the left, in line with the word ‘prime’. Hold it in this position about 5 seconds, then turn to the start cold position.
start-stop n. (attributive) (a) designating a control that combines the functions of starting and stopping a machine or process; (b) designating an electric telegraph or communication system in which each part of a transmission is begun and ended with signals that activate and deactivate the receiving mechanism; designating a component of such a system.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telegraphy > [adjective] > types of telegraphy
syntonic1892
Marconi1896
radio-telegraphic1902
radiographic1903
teletype1916
start-stop1918
1918 Electr. World 25 May 1116/3 Combining reverse cut-out with the start-stop and ignition switch, protection is obtained against the damage usually caused when switches are closed at the wrong time.
1922 Electrician 8 Sept. 265/2 The teletype..is a ‘start-stop’ printer.
1974 R. N. Renton Internat. Telex Service iii. 12/2 In the start-stop system, although the driving motors may be running, the sending and receiving devices are normally held at rest in a zero-phase position.
2013 S. L. Herman Industr. Motor Control (ed. 7) xx. 171/1 Circuit 2..is a start-stop, push button control that controls three motor starters and two time-delay relays.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† startadv.
Obsolete.
Modifying an adjective: to the fullest extent or degree; absolutely, utterly, completely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > [adverb]
fullyeOE
allesOE
fullOE
rightc1175
everydealc1300
wholec1300
whollya1325
finelyc1330
fairly1340
completec1374
gainlya1375
clearly1377
freelya1393
plaina1393
entire?a1400
entirelyc1400
oddlyc1400
sufficientlyc1440
expressc1475
totally1509
completely1526
finec1530
exactly?1531
sincerely1576
start1599
fillingly1611
circularly1618
solid1651
out-over1745
rotundly1775
roundedly?1802
whole hog1840
clear-away1883
whole cloth1917
righteous1948
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
1599 G. Chapman Humerous Dayes Myrth sig. A3v Two of vs will haue accesse to her tho, before his face, which shal so heate his ielous humor til he be start mad.
?1780 Broderick's Medley 10 He will be start mad about Phelim his son.
1828 New Eng. Farmer 22 Aug. 40/1 The age has no sense—the people are start mad.
1838 Jrnl. Franklin Instit. 22 170 At 10 minutes past 6, fell start calm.
1844 J. F. Cooper Afloat & Ashore II. xv. 255 She was nearly start light, and might not have been able to carry full sail in hard November weather.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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n.1eOE
n.2c1300
n.3c1438
n.41981
v.OEadv.1599