What is "at a start"

Start \Start\, n.

1. The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion, caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden motion, or beginning of motion.

   The fright awakened Arcite with a start.
   --Dryden.

2. A convulsive motion, twitch, or spasm; a spasmodic effort.

   For she did speak in starts distractedly.
   --Shak.

   Nature does nothing by starts and leaps, or in a hurry.
   --L'Estrange.

3. A sudden, unexpected movement; a sudden and capricious impulse; a sally; as, starts of fancy.

   To check the starts and sallies of the soul.
   --Addison.

4. The beginning, as of a journey or a course of action; first motion from a place; act of setting out; the outset; -- opposed to finish.

   The start of first performance is all.
   --Bacon.

   I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start.
   --Shak.

   At a start, at once; in an instant. [Obs.]

   At a start he was betwixt them two.
   --Chaucer.

   To get the start, or To have the start, to begin before another; to gain or have the advantage in a similar undertaking; -- usually with of. ``Get the start of the majestic world.''
   --Shak. ``She might have forsaken him if he had not got the start of her.''
   --Dryden.