The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Starting \Start"ing\ (st[aum]rt"[i^]ng),
   a. & n. from Start, v.
   [1913 Webster]

   Starting bar (Steam Eng.), a hand lever for working the
      valves in starting an engine.

   Starting hole, a loophole; evasion. [Obs.]

   Starting point, the point from which motion begins, or from
      which anything starts.

   Starting post, a post, stake, barrier, or place from which
      competitors in a race start, or begin the race.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

starting point
    n 1: earliest limiting point [syn: terminus a quo, starting
         point]