Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Start \Start\, n.
   1. The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion,
      caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden
      motion, or beginning of motion.

            The fright awakened Arcite with a start. --Dryden.

   2. A convulsive motion, twitch, or spasm; a spasmodic effort.

            For she did speak in starts distractedly. --Shak.

            Nature does nothing by starts and leaps, or in a
            hurry.                                --L'Estrange.

   3. A sudden, unexpected movement; a sudden and capricious
      impulse; a sally; as, starts of fancy.

            To check the starts and sallies of the soul.
                                                  --Addison.

   4. The beginning, as of a journey or a course of action;
      first motion from a place; act of setting out; the outset;
      -- opposed to {finish}.

            The start of first performance is all. --Bacon.

            I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
            Straining upon the start.             --Shak.

   {At a start}, at once; in an instant. [Obs.]

            At a start he was betwixt them two.   --Chaucer.

   {To get}, or {have}, {the start}, to before another; to gain
      or have the advantage in a similar undertaking; -- usually
      with of. ``Get the start of the majestic world.'' --Shak.
      ``She might have forsaken him if he had not got the start
      of her.'' --Dryden.