Pronunciation: [stˈɑːtə͡lz] (IPA) 
The word "startles" is spelled with the letter "s" followed by the letters "t", "a", "r", "t", "l", "e", and "s". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈstɑːtəlz/. The "s" sounds like the "s" in "snake", the "t" sounds like the "t" in "top", and the "l" sounds like the "l" in "little". The vowel sounds are "ah" for "a" and "uh" for "e". The word means to cause a sudden feeling of shock or surprise.
Startles is the present tense form of the verb "startle." It is a word that describes the action of sudden surprise or shock, causing someone to react in an abrupt or involuntary manner. When someone startles, they experience a sudden and unexpected disturbance that catches their attention or alarmed them. This reaction can manifest in a variety of ways, such as a quick jump, a gasp, a shriek, or an instinctive defensive reflex.
Startles can occur due to unexpected loud noises, startling events, sudden movements, or surprising encounters. It is a natural physiological response that triggers the body's fight-or-flight instinct, preparing it to react to potential danger or threats. For example, someone may startle when a door slams suddenly, or when someone sneaks up on them silently.
The term "startles" is often used to describe a person's immediate response to a sudden stimulus that catches them off guard. It denotes the element of surprise and the subsequent physical or emotional reaction to that surprise. Being startled is a temporary state that quickly subsides once the person becomes aware of the situation and realizes that there is no immediate threat.
Overall, startles refers to the act of being startled, describing the reflexive and instinctive response to sudden and unexpected stimuli.
The word "startles" is derived from the Middle English word "startlen", which can be traced back to the Old English word "styrtlian". This Old English term is thought to have originated from the Middle Dutch word "stortelen", meaning "to tumble" or "move suddenly". Ultimately, the root of these words is believed to be the Proto-Germanic word "sturtōną", which translates to "to fall" or "make a sudden movement".
