startle

Noun
  1. A sudden involuntary movement (synset 100869035)
    "he awoke with a start"
    is a type of: inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex - an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
    subtypes:
    • startle reaction, startle response - a complicated involuntary reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus (especially a loud noise); involves flexion of most skeletal muscles and a variety of visceral reactions
    • moro reflex, startle reflex - a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs
    • flinch, wince - a reflex response to sudden pain
    same as: jump, start
Verb
  1. To stimulate to action (synset 201825572)
    "the loud noise startled him awake"; "galvanized into action"
    is a type of: ball over, blow out of the water, floor, shock, take aback - surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off
    same as: galvanise, galvanize
  2. Move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm (synset 201914366)
    "She startled when I walked into the room"
    is a type of: move - move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion
    subtypes:
    • shy - start suddenly, as from fright
    • boggle - startle with amazement or fear
    • rear back - start with anger or resentment or in protest
    • jackrabbit - go forward or start with a fast, sudden movement
    same as: jump, start

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