STARTLE, verb intransitive [dim. of start.] To shrink; to move suddenly or be excited on feeling a sudden alarm. Why shrinks the soul back on herself, and startles at destruction? STARTLE, verb transitive 1. To impress with fear; to excite by sudden alarm, surprise or apprehension; to shock; to alarm; to fright. We were startled at the cry of distress. Any great and unexpected event is apt to startle us. The supposition that angles assume bodies, need not startle us. 2. To deter; to cause to deviate. [Little used.] STARTLE, noun A sudden motion or shock occasioned by an unexpected alarm, surprise or apprehension of danger; sudden impression of terror. After having recovered from my first startle I was well pleased with the accident.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI