a. [f. START sb. or v. + -FUL.] a. Apt to start, easily startled, timorous. b. Proceeding by starts, fitful.
1790. Wolcot (P. Pindar), Rowland for Oliver, Wks. 1812, II. 310. Say, Virgin, where dost thou delight to dwell? With Maids of Honour, startful Virgin? Tell.
1796. Coleridge, Destiny of Nations, 255. The Maid Brooded with moving lips, mute, startful, dark!
1837. C. Lofft, Self-formation, I. 226. The growth of each is capricious and startful, often making a sudden push from no apparent motive.
Hence Startfulness.
1803. Beddoes, Hygëia, IX. 141. Palpitations, startfulness, disposition to be terrified, exist more or less strongly.
