Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Start \Start\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {started}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {starting}.] [OE. sterten; akin to D. storten 8hurl, rush,
   fall, G. st["u]rzen, OHG. sturzen to turn over, to fall, Sw.
   st["o]ra to cast down, to fall, Dan. styrte, and probably
   also to E. start a tail; the original sense being, perhaps,
   to show the tail, to tumble over suddenly. [root]166. Cf.
   {Start} a tail.]
   1. To leap; to jump. [Obs.]

   2. To move suddenly, as with a spring or leap, from surprise,
      pain, or other sudden feeling or emotion, or by a
      voluntary act.

            And maketh him out of his sleep to start. --Chaucer.

            I start as from some dreadful dream.  --Dryden.

            Keep your soul to the work when ready to start
            aside.                                --I. Watts.

            But if he start, It is the flesh of a corrupted
            heart.                                --Shak.

   3. To set out; to commence a course, as a race or journey; to
      begin; as, to start business.

            At once they start, advancing in a line. --Dryden.

            At intervals some bird from out the brakes Starts
            into voice a moment, then is still.   --Byron.

   4. To become somewhat displaced or loosened; as, a rivet or a
      seam may start under strain or pressure.

   {To start after}, to set out after; to follow; to pursue.

   {To start against}, to act as a rival candidate against.

   {To start for}, to be a candidate for, as an office.

   {To start up}, to rise suddenly, as from a seat or couch; to
      come suddenly into notice or importance.