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.
At a start he was betwixt them two. Chaucer.
To get, orhave, the start, to begin 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.