self-starter \ˈ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\noun 1.: something that actuates itself : perpetuum mobile 2. a.: any of various more or less automatic attachments for starting an internal combustion engine other than the simple starting crank or an auxiliary turning engine b.: a machine or vehicle equipped with such an attachment 3.: one that has initiative < the officials associated with its further progress have to be self-starters if that progress is to take place — Atlantic >