| start | 1. To leap; to jump. 2. To move suddenly, as with a spring or leap, from surprise, pain, or other sudden feeling or emotion, or by a voluntary act. "And maketh him out of his sleep to start." (Chaucer) "I start as from some dreadful dream." (Dryden) "Keep your soul to the work when ready to start aside." (I. Watts) "But if he start, It is the flesh of a corrupted heart." (Shak) 3. To set out; to commence a course, as a race or journey; to begin; as, to start business. "At once they start, advancing in a line." (Dryden) "At intervals some bird from out the brakes Starts into voice a moment, then is still." (Byron) 4. To become somewhat displaced or loosened; as, a rivet or a seam may start under strain or pressure. To start after, to set out after; to follow; to pursue. To start against, to act as a rival candidate against. To start for, to be a candidate for, as an office. To start up, to rise suddenly, as from a seat or couch; to come suddenly into notice or importance. Origin: OE. Sterten; akin to D. Storten 8hurl, rush, fall, G. Sturzen, OHG. Sturzen to turn over, to fall, Sw. Stora to cast down, to fall, Dan. Styrte, and probably also to E. Start a tail; the original sense being, perhaps, to show the tail, to tumble over suddenly. 166. Cf. Start a tail. 1. A tail, or anything projecting like a tail. 2. The handle, or tail, of a plow; also, any long handle. 3. The curved or inclined front and bottom of a water-wheel bucket. 4. <chemical> The arm, or level, of a gin, drawn around by a horse. Origin: OE. Stert a tail, AS. Steort; akin to LG. Stert, steert, D. Staart, G. Sterz, Icel. Stertr, Dan. Stiert, Sw. Stjert. 166. Cf. Stark naked, Start. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| start codon | The codon 5' AUG in mRNA, at which polypeptide synthesis is started. It is recognised by formylmethionyl tRNA in bacteria and by methionyl tRNA in eukaryotes. (18 Nov 1997) |
| starter | Short pre-existing polynucleotide chain towhich new deoxyribonucleotides can be added by DNA polymerase. (09 Oct 1997) |
| starter tRNA | TRNA in prokaryotes containing a formyl-methionyl residue that initiates translation. Synonym: formyl-methionyl-tRNA, starter tRNA. (05 Mar 2000) |
| starthroat | <ornithology> Any humming bird of the genus Heliomaster. The feathers of the throat have a brilliant metallic luster. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| starting friction | The force that must be overcome to initiate the motion of one body relative to another because they have been resting in contact. Compare: dynamic friction. Synonym: static friction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| startle epilepsy | A form of reflex epilepsy precipitated by sudden noises. (05 Mar 2000) |
| startle reaction | A complex involuntary response to an unexpected strong stimulus usually auditory in nature. (12 Dec 1998) |
| startle reflex | The reflex response of an infant (contraction of the limb and neck muscles) when allowed to drop a short distance through the air or startled by a sudden noise or jolt. Synonym: Moro reflex, parachute reflex, startle reaction. Synonym: cochleopalpebral reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |