STARTER

starter

(noun) 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”

crank, starter

(noun) a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle

starter, starter motor, starting motor

(noun) an electric motor for starting an engine

appetizer, appetiser, starter

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

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

(noun) any new participant in some activity

starter, dispatcher

(noun) the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition

starter

(noun) a contestant in a team sport who is in the game at the beginning

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

starter (plural starters)

Someone who starts something.

The person who starts a race by firing a gun or waving a flag

(baseball) A starting pitcher.

Something that starts something.

An electric motor that starts an internal combustion engine

A device that initiates the flow of high voltage electricity in a fluorescent lamp

A yeast culture used to start a fermentation process

The first course of a meal, consisting of a small, usually savoury, dish.

Synonyms: entrée, hors d'oeuvre, appetizer

Coordinate terms: main, main course, dessert

(team sports) A player in the lineup of players that a team fields at the beginning of a game.

A dog that rouses game.

(historical, British) A short length of rope formerly used for casual chastisement in the Navy.

(rail) A railway signal controlling the starting of trains from a station or some other location, more fully called a starter signal or starting signal.