Startle

Part of speech: noun (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.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start. Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and startles at destruction Addison.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

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.

Synonyms: start; shock; fright; frighten; alarm.