v. i. | 1. | To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start. |
v. t. | 1. | To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise. |
2. | To deter; to cause to deviate. | |
n. | 1. | A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger. |
Noun | 1. | startle - a sudden involuntary movement; "he awoke with a start" |
Verb | 1. | startle - to stimulate to action ; "..startled him awake"; "galvanized into action" |
2. | startle - move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm; "She startled when I walked into the room" |