The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

start \start\ (st[aum]rt), v. i. [imp. & p. p. started; p. pr.
   & vb. n. starting.] [OE. sterten; akin to D. storten to
   hurl, rush, fall, G. st["u]rzen, OHG. sturzen to turn over,
   to fall, Sw. st["o]rta to cast down, to fall, Dan. styrte,
   and probably also to E. start a tail; the original sense
   being, perhaps, to show the tail, to tumble over suddenly.
   [root]166. Cf. Start a tail.]
   1. To leap; to jump. [Obs.]
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   2. To move suddenly, as with a spring or leap, from surprise,
      pain, or other sudden feeling or emotion, or by a
      voluntary act.
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            And maketh him out of his sleep to start. --Chaucer.
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            I start as from some dreadful dream.  --Dryden.
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            Keep your soul to the work when ready to start
            aside.                                --I. Watts.
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            But if he start,
            It is the flesh of a corrupted heart. --Shak.
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   3. To set out; to commence a course, as a race or journey; to
      begin; as, to start in business.
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            At once they start, advancing in a line. --Dryden.
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            At intervals some bird from out the brakes
            Starts into voice a moment, then is still. --Byron.
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   4. To become somewhat displaced or loosened; as, a rivet or a
      seam may start under strain or pressure.
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   To start after, to set out after; to follow; to pursue.

   To start against, to act as a rival candidate against.

   To start for, to be a candidate for, as an office.

   To start up, to rise suddenly, as from a seat or couch; to
      come suddenly into notice or importance.
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