| Imperative |
|---|
| startle |
| startle |
| Noun | 1. | startle - a sudden involuntary movement; "he awoke with a start" inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex - an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus startle reaction, startle response - a complicated involuntary reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus (especially a loud noise); involves flexion of most skeletal muscles and a variety of visceral reactions Moro reflex, startle reflex - a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs |
| Verb | 1. | startle - to stimulate to action ; "..startled him awake"; "galvanized into action" ball over, blow out of the water, floor, shock, take aback - surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off; "I was floored when I heard that I was promoted" |
| 2. | startle - move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm; "She startled when I walked into the room" move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion; "He moved his hand slightly to the right" shy - start suddenly, as from fright boggle - startle with amazement or fear rear back - start with anger or resentment or in protest jackrabbit - go forward or start with a fast, sudden movement |