startle

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To suddenly surprise or frighten someone, making them jump.

   The loud bang startled everyone in the room.

2. 2
   verb

   To move or jump suddenly because of surprise or fear.

   The cat startled when I walked into the room.

3. 3
   noun

   A sudden jump or shock caused by something unexpected.

   She woke with a startle when the phone rang.

From Middle English startlen, stertlen, stertyllen (“to rush, stumble along”), from Old English steartlian (“to kick with the foot, struggle, stumble”), equivalent to start + -le. Cognate with Old Norse stirtla (“to hobble, stagger”), Icelandic stirtla (“to straighten up, erect”). Compare also Middle English stertil (“hasty”). More at start.

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