transitive. To cause to start or flinch; to startle. Now somewhat rare.

transitive. To arouse; to startle. Obsolete.

transitive. To cause (a person or animal) to undergo a sudden involuntary movement of the body, through surprise, alarm, etc.; to surprise greatly…

transitive. To frighten, daze, scare, startle. Now only dialect and in the whale fishery. Also dialect to scare away.

To affect with the characteristic emotion caused by something unexpected; to excite to wonder by being unlooked-for. †Formerly also in stronger sense…

(up-, prefix affix 3a.)

A sudden fright, start; a shock or frisson. Frequently in to get, haveor give (someone) a skrik.

transitive. To cause to start up.

To cause to jump; to give a jumping motion to; to drive forward with a bound; to startle. Also figurative.