<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object)<ul><li>to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.</li><li>Synonyms: astonish, frighten, scare</li><li>to cause to start involuntarily, by or as by a sudden shock.</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a sudden shock of surprise, alarm, or the like.</li><li>something that startles.</li></ul>