Startling is spelled with the consonant cluster "st" followed by the vowel sound "ar", which is represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /stɑːt.lɪŋ/. The "t" in the middle of the word is pronounced as a voiceless dental stop, while the "l" is a liquid consonant produced by the sides of the tongue touching the roof of the mouth. The "-ing" ending is pronounced with a voiced velar nasal consonant /ŋ/. Together, these sounds create the distinctive and memorable spelling of the word startling.
Startling is an adjective that refers to something that elicits a sudden feeling of surprise, shock, or astonishment. It describes an action, event, or object that is unexpected or catches one off guard. When something is startling, it often causes an abrupt interruption of normal thoughts or actions, momentarily causing a person to be taken aback.
The word "startling" implies a sense of abruptness or suddenness, resulting in a strong emotional or physiological response. It may be associated with actions or events that are out of the ordinary, extraordinary, or unusual. Startling stimuli have the power to provoke intense, immediate, or sharp sensations that deviate from what is considered routine or typical.
For instance, a sudden loud noise, an unexpected appearance, or a surprising twist in a story can be described as startling. The primary characteristic of something that is startling is its ability to induce a rapid and intense reaction, often causing one's heart to race, breath to quicken, or muscles to tense. Startling experiences can have varying effects on individuals, such as causing fear, confusion, intrigue, or awe.
In summary, "startling" describes something that generates a sudden, unexpected, or surprising effect, causing an immediate and intense reaction in terms of emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations.
Suddenly impressing with fear; dreadfully surprising.
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 "startling" comes from the verb "startle", which dates back to the early 16th century. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is believed to have derivative forms in Old English and Middle Dutch. The Old English form "styrtlan" meant "to jump up" or "to leap". It was formed from the base word "styrt", which meant "tail" or "rear" and was used in relation to sudden movement. The word was later influenced by the Middle English word "stertlen", which had a similar meaning. Over time, the verb "startle" evolved to mean "to cause sudden shock or surprise", and the term "startling" is its adjective form.