[f. START v. + -ING2.] That starts, in various senses of the verb: † leaping, bounding, hence full of energy; making sudden movements; suffering displacement or disintegration, etc.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arthur, 511 (Thornton MS.). One a stirtande stede he strykes one straye.
1545. Joye, Exp. Dan. vii. P vij b. The scole doctors of diuinite … what new strange sterting termes they haue invented.
1545. Ascham, Toxoph., ii. (Arb.), 125. Againe Hulder, black thorne, Serues tree [etc.] make holow, starting, studding, gaddynge shaftes.
1598. Dallington, Meth. Trav., G 4. [Henri IV.] his nature stirting and full of life, like a true French man.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., IV. v. 2. With starting courage, Giue with thy Trumpet a loud note to Troy.
1608. Dekker, Dead Term, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 44. The eyes of euery Straunger, and of euery starting Passenger be cast vp vppon mee.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, I. x. 26. What feares and cares affright the starting sleepes of the couetous?
1648. Hexham, II. Een schouw-peerdt, a starting Horse.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 398, ¶ 6. Your starting Manner of Writing,… has in it something very unaccountable.
1718. Rowe, trans. Lucan, I. 364. Stiff rose his starting hair, he stood dismay’d.
1757. W. Wilkie, Epigoniad, III. 72. Behind his ear the starting weapon shone.
1787. Polwhele, Engl. Orator, II. 209. When now the starting Tear Of filial Duty trembles.
1817. Shelley, Rev. Islam, XI. viii. But still there clung One hope, like a keen sword on starting threads uphung.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 89. The starting timbers of the unseasoned wood of which the ships were built.
Hence Startingly adv., with a start; by starts; † impetuously, fitfully.
1604. Shaks., Oth., III. iv. 79. Why do you speake so startingly and rash?
1636. Featly, Serm., in Strict. Lyndom. (1638), II. 174. In a Fever … it [the pulse] beateth unevenly and startingly.
a. 1693. Urquhart’s Rabelais, III. xiv. 119. You startingly awaked.
1827. Moore, Alciphron, III. 127. As startingly her eyes she rais’d.
1841. Fraser’s Mag., XXIII. 315. Then startingly the pheasant springeth forth.
