[f. STARTLE v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb STARTLE.
† 1. A moving about; a rushing about. Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, III. 704. A gret sterling he mycht haiff seyne Off schippys.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 307. Þat bole heet Apis, þat was i-woned to … warne by his pleyenge and startelynge what was to comynge.
a. 1513. Fabyan’s Chron., VII. ccxxxviii. (1811), 277. Stertlynge of beestys.
† 2. The action of starting suddenly through surprise, alarm, etc.; an instance of this, a sudden start. Obs.
1624. Donne, Serm., xix. (1640), 188. It is rather a startling in our sleep, then any awaking at all, to have a sudden remorse,… and no constant perseverance.
1652. Kirkman, Clerio & Lozia, 34. Her trembling body, her unaccustomed startlings and disquietness.
1677. Gilpin, Demonol. (1867), 193. Custom doth by degrees take off the startling of conscience.
1825. R. P. Ward, Tremaine, III. xvii. 317. Why … this shrinking of the soul back on herself, this startling at destruction?
3. The action of causing surprise or sudden fear.
1797. Coleridge, Remorse, I. ii. 329. If … our rude startling Drove you to this, your not ungentle, wildness.
1880. Meredith, Tragic Com. (1881), 244. She has a turn for startling.
