Startle \Star"tle\, n. A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.

After having recovered from my first startle, I was very well pleased with the accident. --Spectator.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Startle \Star"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Startled; p. pr. & vb. n. Startling.]

[Freq. of start.]

To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.

Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and startles at destruction? --Addison.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Startle \Star"tle\, v. t.

1. To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.

The supposition, at least, that angels do sometimes assume bodies need not startle us. --Locke.

2. To deter; to cause to deviate. [R.]

--Clarendon.

Syn: To start; shock; fright; frighten; alarm.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)