I. ]d.ə(r), ]tə(r) noun
( -s )
1. : one who initiates or sets going
one of the starters of the scientific revolution
as
a. : an official who gives the signal to begin a race
b.
(1) : dispatcher a
(2) : dispatcher f
c. : one that does hat sizing
2.
a.
(1) : one that enters a competition or sets out in a race
a late starter in the contest for the nomination
an added starter in the second race
(2) : starting pitcher
b. : one that begins to engage in an activity or process
is not a tactful man, nor a slow, easy starter — John Bird
3. : one that causes something (as a mechanism or process) to begin operating: as
a. : a controller that accelerates a motor to normal speed in one direction of rotation but that is not adapted for sustained use in positions intermediate between the off and full-on positions
b. : self-starter
c. : a strip of foundation placed in a frame or section in a hive to facilitate comb-building by honeybees
d. : material containing microorganisms used to induce a desired fermentation (as in making butter, cheese, or vinegar) and being either a sample of a natural population (as sour cream or vinegar) or a pure culture of a defined microorganism — compare ferment 1a
e. : a compound used to start a chemical reaction
f. : a specially prepared food or nutrient used to promote vigorous growth in very young animals or plants
a calf starter
a chick starter
g. : a device (as a drill or punch) used for starting a hole
4.
a. : something that is the beginning of a process, activity, or series : a first step
will sink something over a million dollars into this plant just as a starter — Green Peyton
as a starter , the linguists began asking the names of everyday things — Time
b.
(1) : a card that is cut and turned face up on the top of the stock after cribbage players have discarded for the crib
(2) : upcard
c. : eaves tile
II. noun
: a dish served as an appetizer or first course
•
- for starters
III. adjective
Etymology: starter , noun
: of, relating to, or being an item acquired with the expectation that a more elaborate or sophisticated model will be acquired in the future
a starter home
stands up well enough to be considered as a starter VCR — Ron Goldberg