Startle Definition
stärtl
startled, startles, startling
verb
startled, startles, startling
To cause to make a quick involuntary movement or start.
American Heritage
To be startled.
Webster's New World
To surprise, frighten, or alarm suddenly or unexpectedly; esp., to cause to start, or move involuntarily, as from sudden fright.
Webster's New World
To become alarmed, frightened, or surprised.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
noun
A sudden, brief episode of fear.
American Heritage
A start or shock, as of surprise or fright.
Webster's New World
A sudden, involuntary movement in response to something frightening or unexpected, such as a noise.
American Heritage
Origin of Startle
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From Middle English startlen, stertlen, stertyllen (“to rush, stumble along"), from Old English steartlian (“to kick with the foot, struggle, stumble"), equivalent to start +"Ž -le. Cognate with Old Norse stirtla (“to hobble, stagger"), Icelandic stirtla (“to straighten up, erect"). Compare also Middle English stertil (“hasty"). More at start.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English stertlen to run about from Old English steartlian to kick ster-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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