The spelling of the word "startled" is intriguing. The word is pronounced /ˈstɑː.təld/, with the initial "st" pronounced as a cluster. The phonetic transcription reveals that "sta" is pronounced like "star," followed by the "t" sound, which creates the cluster. Then, "led" is pronounced as "lid," but with a small pause between the two sounds. Overall, the spelling of "startled" accurately reflects its unique pronunciation, making it a fascinating word to examine from a phonetics perspective.
Startled is an adjective that describes the state of being shocked, surprised, or alarmed suddenly by something unexpected or startling. When a person or an animal is startled, they experience a sudden rush of fear or surprise due to a sudden onset of a startling event, noise, or action. This reaction can be physical or emotional and can involve a variety of responses, such as a jump, a scream, a gasp, or an increased heart rate.
When someone is startled, their body's natural fight-or-flight response is triggered, causing a brief period of heightened alertness. This response is a result of the brain's attempt to process and respond to a potentially dangerous or threatening situation.
Startled can also refer to a temporary state of disorientation or confusion caused by a startling event. It may take some time for the individual to regain their composure or return to their previous state of calmness.
The term "startled" can be used to describe the reaction of humans, as well as various animals, to sudden or unexpected stimuli. Furthermore, it can be applied to both positive and negative surprises, depending on the context. Overall, being startled implies a sudden disruption of tranquility or expectation and a swift shift in one's emotional or physiological state.
Caused to start; surprised.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "startled" is derived from the Middle English word "startlen", which means to stumble or stagger. This Middle English term is related to the Old English word "styrtlan", which has similar meanings. The word ultimately comes from the Old Norse word "sterta", which means to start or jump.