Library / English Dictionary

STARTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A culture containing yeast or bacteria that is used to start the process of fermentation or souring in making butter or cheese or dough

Example:

to make sourdough you need a starter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("starter" is a kind of...):

culture ((biology) the growing of microorganisms in a nutrient medium (such as gelatin or agar))

Sense 2

Meaning:

A hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle

Synonyms:

crank; starter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("starter" is a kind of...):

hand tool (a tool used with workers' hands)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "starter"):

crank handle; starting handle (crank used to start an engine)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An electric motor for starting an engine

Synonyms:

starter; starter motor; starting motor

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("starter" is a kind of...):

electric motor (a motor that converts electricity to mechanical work)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "starter"):

kick start; kick starter (a starter (as on a motorcycle) that is activated with the foot and the weight of the body)

self-starter (an electric starting motor that automatically starts an internal-combustion engine)

Holonyms ("starter" is a part of...):

electrical system (equipment in a motor vehicle that provides electricity to start the engine and ignite the fuel and operate the lights and windshield wiper and heater and air conditioner and radio)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course)

Synonyms:

appetiser; appetizer; starter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Hypernyms ("starter" is a kind of...):

course (part of a meal served at one time)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "starter"):

antipasto (a course of appetizers in an Italian meal)

canape (an appetizer consisting usually of a thin slice of bread or toast spread with caviar or cheese or other savory food)

cocktail (an appetizer served as a first course at a meal)

hors d'oeuvre (a dish served as an appetizer before the main meal)

crudites (raw vegetables cut into bite-sized strips and served with a dip)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Any new participant in some activity

Synonyms:

entrant; fledgeling; fledgling; freshman; neophyte; newbie; newcomer; starter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("starter" is a kind of...):

beginner; initiate; novice; tiro; tyro (someone new to a field or activity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "starter"):

enlistee; recruit (any new member or supporter (as in the armed forces))

Derivation:

start (take the first step or steps in carrying out an action)

start (bring into being)

Sense 6

Meaning:

The official who signals the beginning of a race or competition

Synonyms:

dispatcher; starter

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("starter" is a kind of...):

official (someone who administers the rules of a game or sport)

Sense 7

Meaning:

A contestant in a team sport who is in the game at the beginning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("starter" is a kind of...):

contestant (a person who participates in competitions)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "starter"):

starting pitcher ((baseball) a pitcher who starts in a baseball game)

Credits