3 definitions
for starter
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Self-starter \Self`-start"er\, n.
A mechanism (usually one operated by electricity, compressed
air, a spring, or an explosive gas), attached to an
internal-combustion engine, as on an automobile, and used as
a means of starting the engine without cranking it by hand;
-- called also a starter.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Starter \Start"er\ (st[aum]rt"[~e]r), n.
1. One who, or that which, starts; as, a starter on a
journey; the starter of a race.
[1913 Webster]
2. A dog that rouses game.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 2.0 :
starter
n 1: an electric motor for starting an engine [syn: starter
motor, starting motor]
2: a culture containing yeast or bacteria that is used to start
the process of fermentation or souring in making butter or
cheese or dough; "to make sourdough you need a starter"
3: a contestant who is in the game at the beginning
4: the official who signals the beginning of a race or
competition [syn: dispatcher]
5: any new participant in some activity [syn: newcomer, fledgling,
fledgeling, neophyte, freshman, newbie, entrant]
6: food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served
before a meal or as the first course) [syn: appetizer, appetiser]
7: a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel
handle [syn: crank]