startlers
|start-ler|
🇺🇸
/ˈstɑrtlər/
🇬🇧
/ˈstɑːtlə/
(startler)
cause a sudden surprise
Etymology
'startler' originates from English, specifically formed from the verb 'startle' with the agentive suffix '-er', where the base 'start-' meant 'to move suddenly or give a sudden shock.'
'startler' derives ultimately from Middle English forms such as 'startlen'/'startlen(e)' (a frequentative/causative formation from 'start') which developed into the verb 'startle' and later produced the agent noun 'startler' in modern English.
Initially the root 'start' meant 'to move suddenly' (or 'to be startled'); over time the verb 'startle' came to mean 'to cause sudden surprise or alarm,' and the noun 'startler' came to mean 'one or something that causes that surprise.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'startler' — people or things that cause someone to start or be startled; items or persons that produce sudden surprise or alarm.
Old horror films were full of unexpected startlers that made the audience jump.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/26 16:14