Obs. [f. start pa. pple. of START v. + UP adv.: see START v. 13.]
A. ppl. a. That has suddenly ‘started up’ into existence, notice or importance; upstart, parvenu.
a. With adv., new, newly, fresh, late, first.
1557. Traheron, Expos. S. John, title-p., The wicked enterprises of new sterte vp Arians in Englande.
1573–80. G. Harvey, Lett., Wks. (Grosart), I. 125. To sende … my lord Ritches players, or sum other freshe starteupp comedanties unto me.
1628. in Cath. Tract. (S.T.S.), 275. These first startup apostats and runnagats redacted it [Abbirbroth] to such desolation & ruines, as may be seene.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 139. Shewing no more … beautie then neighbouring and late start-up-townes about her.
1687. [Shields], Hind let loose, 176. A newly start up opinion.
1762. Warburton, Doctr. Grace, III. Wks. 1788, IV. 686. A new Start-up Sect.
b. simply.
1567. Drant, Horace, Ep., II. i. G iiij. Eche man is burning hote To be a startevp wryter straighte.
1597. Return fr. Parnass., IV. i. 1340. Each start-upp clowne.
1601. Sir W. Cornwallis, Ess., II. xlii. (1631), 197. Like start-up Gentlemen, Gentlemen without a pedegree.
1616. J. Lane, Contn. Sqr.’s T., IX. p. 139, note. Wheare prowd Fregilea lies with all her start vp statelie palaces.
1704. Swift, Tale Tub, i. 43. Two Junior start-up Societies.
1801. Eliz. Helme, St. Marg. Cave (1819), II. xii. 219. A start-up baron of yesterday.
B. sb.
1. An upstart; a low-born person who has risen to wealth or power.
1599. James I., Βασιλικον Δωρον, II. (1603), 70. Delight to be serued with men of the noblest bloud … for besides that their seruice shall breede you great good-will and least enuie, contrary to that of start-ups; yee shall oft finde vertue follow noble race.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, I. iii. 69. That young start-vp hath all the glorie of my overthrow.
a. 1652. Brome, Queen & Concubine, II. i. (1659), 24. His Marriage with that Start-up.
2. [A distinct word; subst. use of phrase to start up.] An instance of ‘starting up.’
1845. Disraeli, Sybil, IV. xiii. I am used to these start-ups.
