at a start

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

1.The act of starting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion, caused by surprise, fear, pain, or the like; any sudden motion, or beginning of motion. [1913 Webster]

The fright awakened Arcite with a start.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.A convulsive motion, twitch, or spasm; a spasmodic effort. [1913 Webster]

For she did speak in starts distractedly.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

Nature does nothing by starts and leaps, or in a hurry.— L'Estrange.[1913 Webster]

3.A sudden, unexpected movement; a sudden and capricious impulse; a sally; as, starts of fancy. [1913 Webster]

To check the starts and sallies of the soul.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

4.The beginning, as of a journey or a course of action; first motion from a place; act of setting out; the outset; -- opposed to finish. [1913 Webster]

The start of first performance is all.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

At a start, at once; in an instant. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

At a start he was betwixt them two.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

To get the start, or To have the start, to begin before another; to gain or have the advantage in a similar undertaking; -- usually with of. "Get the start of the majestic world." --Shak. "She might have forsaken him if he had not got the start of her." --Dryden. [1913 Webster]