v.
Pronunciation: ' stär-t ə l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: star · tled ; star · tling \ ' stärt-li ŋ , ' stär-t ə l-i ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English stertlen, frequentative of sterten to start
Date: 1530
intransitive verb : to move or jump suddenly (as in surprise or alarm) <the baby startle s easily>
transitive verb : to frighten or surprise suddenly and usually not seriously
– star · tle · ment \ -m ə nt \ noun