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The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.