King James Bible Dictionary

STAR, noun

1. An apparently small luminous body in the heavens, that appears in the night, or when its light is not obscured by clouds or lost in the brighter effulgence of the sun. Stars are fixed or planetary. The fixed stars are known by their perpetual twinkling, and by their being always in the same position in relation to each other. The planets do not twinkle, and they revolve about the sun. The stars are worlds, and their immense numbers exhibit the astonishing extent of creation and of divine power.

2. The pole-star. [A particular application, not in use.]

3. In astrology, a configuration of the planets, supposed to influence fortune. Hence the expression, You may thank your stars for such and such an event.

A pair of star-crossd lovers.

4. The figure of a star; a radiated mark in writing or printing; an asterisk; thus*; used as a reference to a note in the margin, or to fill a blank in writing or printing where letters are omitted.

5. In Scripture, Christ is called the bright and morning star the star that ushers in the light of an eternal day to his people. Revelations 22. Ministers are also called stars in Christs right hand, as, being supported and directed by Christ, they convey light and knowledge to the followers of Christ. Revelations 1. The twelve stars which form the crown of the church, are the twelve apostles. Revelations 12.

6. The figure of a star; a badge of rank; as stars and garters.

The pole-star, a bright star in the tail of Ursa minor, so called from its being very near the north pole.

STAR of Bethlehem, a flower and plant of the genus Ornithogalum. There is also the star of Alexandria, and of Naples, and of Constantinople, of the same genus.

STAR, verb transitive To set or adorn with stars or bright radiating bodies; to bespangle; as a robe starred with gems.

[MAGI]

A name figuratively given to Christ (Revelation 22:16; comp. 2 Peter 1:19). When Christ promises that he will give the "morning star" to his faithful ones, he "promises that he will give to them himself, that he will give to them himself, that he will impart to them his own glory and a share in his own royal dominion; for the star is evermore the symbol of royalty (Matthew 2:2), being therefore linked with the sceptre (Numbers 24:17). All the glory of the world shall end in being the glory of the Church." Trench's Comm.

STAR-APPLE, noun A globular or olive-shaped fleshy fruit, inclosing a stone of the same shape. It grows in the warm climates of America, and is eaten by way of dessert. It is of the genus Chrysophyllum.

STARBOARD, noun [G., the rudder or helm. I know not from what particular construction of a vessel the helm should give name to the right hand side, unless from the tillers being held by the right hand, or at the right side of the steersman.] The right hand side of a ship or boat, when a spectator stands with his face towards the head, stem or prow.

STARBOARD, adjective Pertaining to the right hand side of a ship; being or lying on the right side; as the starboard shrouds; star-board quarter; starboard tack. In seamanship, starboard uttered by the master of a ship, is an order to the helmsman to put the helm to the starboard side.

STARCH, noun [G., strength, starch; strong. See Stare and Steer.] A substance used to stiffen linen and other cloth. It is the fecula of flour , or a substance that subsides from water mixed with wheat flour. It is sometimes made from potatoes. starch forms the greatest portion of farinaceous substances, particularly of wheat flour, and it si the chief aliment of bread.

STARCH, adjective Stiff; precise; rigid.

STARCH, verb transitive To stiffen with starch

STAR-CHAMBER, noun Formerly, a court of criminal jurisdiction in England. This court was abolished by Stat. 16 Charles I. See Blackstone, B. 4 Chapter 19.

STARCHED, participle passive

1. Stiffened with starch.

2. adjective Stiff; precise; formal.

STARCHEDNESS, noun Stiffness in manners; formality.

STARCHER, noun One who starches, or whose occupation is to starch.

STARCHING, participle present tense Stiffening with starch.

STARCHLY, adverb With stiffness of manner; preciseness.

STARCHNESS, noun Stiffness of manner; preciseness.

STARCHY, adjective Stiff; precise.

STARE, noun A bird, the starling.

STARE, verb intransitive The sense then is to open or extend, and it seems to be closely allied to G., stiff, and to starch, stern, which imply straining, tension.]

1. To gaze; to look with fixed eyes wide open; to fasten an earnest look on some object. Staring is produced by wonder, surprise, stupidity, horror, fright and sometimes by eagerness to hear or learn something, sometimes by impudence. We say, he stared with astonishment.

Look not big, nor stare nor fret.

2. To stand out; to be prominent.

Take off all the staring straws and jaggs in the hive. [Not used.]

To stare in the face, to be before the eyes or undeniably evident.

The law stares them int he face, while they are breaking it.

STARE, noun A fixed look with eyes wide open.

STARER, noun One who stares or gazes.

STAR-FISH, noun [star and fish.] The sea star or asterias, a genus of marine animals or zoophytes, so named because their body is divided into rays, generally five in number, int he center of which and below is the mouth, which is the only orifice of the alimentary canal. They are covered with a coriaceous skin, armed with points or spines and pierced with numerous small holes, arranged in regular series, through which pass membranaceous tentacula or feelers, terminated each by a little disk or cup, by means of which they execute their progressive motions.

STAR-FLOWER, noun A plant, a species of Ornithogalum. A plant of the genus Stellaria.

STARGAZER, noun [star and gazer.] One who gazes at the stars; a term of contempt for an astrologer, sometimes used ludicrously for an astronomer.

(Isaiah 47:13), those who pretend to tell what will occur by looking upon the stars. The Chaldean astrologers "divined by the rising and setting, the motions, aspects, colour, degree of light, etc., of the stars."

STARGAZING, noun The act or practice of observing the stars with attention; astrology.

STAR-GRASS, noun [star and grass.] Starry duck meat, a plant of the genus Callitriche.

STAR-HAWK, noun A species of hawk so called.

STAR-HYACINTH, noun A plant of the genus Scilla.

STARING, participle present tense Gazing; looking with fixed eyes.

STAR-JELLY, noun A plant, the Tremella, one of the Fungi; also, star-shoot, a gelatinous substance.

STARK, adjective [G., stark stiff, strong; formed on the root of the G., stiff, rigid. See Starch and Steer.]

1. Stiff; strong; rugged.

Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff, under the hoofs of vaunting enemies.

The north is not so stark and cold.

2. Deep; full; profound; absolute.

He pronounces the citation stark nonsense.

STARK, adverb Wholly; entirely; absolutely; as stark mad; stark blind; stark naked. These are the principal applications of this word now in use. The word is in popular use, but not an elegant word in any of its applications.

STARKLY, adverb Stiffly; strongly.

STARLESS, adjective Having no stars visible or no starlight; as a starless night.

STARLIGHT, noun [star and light.] The light proceeding from the stars.

Nor walk by moon or glittering starlight without thee is sweet.

STARLIGHT, adjective Lighted by the stars, or by the stars only; as a starlight evening.

STARLIKE, adjective [star and like.]

1. Resembling a star; stellated; radiated like a star; as starlike flowers.

2. Bright; illustrious.

The having turned many to righteousness shall confer a starlike and immortal brightness.

STARLING, noun

1. A bird, the stare, of the genus Sturnus.

2. A defense to the piers of bridges.

STAROST, noun In Poland, a feudatory; one who holds a fief.

STAROSTY, noun A fief; an estate held by feudal service.

STAR-PAVED, adjective [star and paved.] Studed with stars.

The road of heaven star-paved

STAR-PROOF, adjective [star and proof.] Impervious to the light of the stars; as a star-proof elm.

STAR-READ, noun [star and read.] Doctrine of the stars; astronomy. [Not in use.]

STARRED, participle passive or adjective [from star.]

1. Adorned or studded with stars; as the starred queen of Ethiopia.

2. Influenced in fortune by the stars.

My third comfort, starrd most unluckily--

STARRING, participle present tense or adjective

1. Adorning with stars.

2. Shining; bright; sparkling; as starring comets. [Not in use.]

STARRY, adjective [from star.]

1. Abounding with stars; adorned with stars.

Above the clouds, above the starry sky.

2. Consisting of stars; stellar; stellary; proceeding from the stars; as starry light; starry flame.

3. Shining like stars; resembling stars; as starry eyes.

The eleven stars (Genesis 37:9); the seven (Amos 5:8); wandering (Jude 1:13); seen in the east at the birth of Christ, probably some luminous meteors miraculously formed for this specific purpose (Matthew 2:2-10); stars worshipped (Deuteronomy 4:19; 2 Kings 17:16; 21:3; Jeremiah 19:13); spoken of symbolically (Numbers 24:17; Revelation 1:16, 20; 12:1). (See ASTROLOGERS.)

Created by God
Genesis 1:16; Job 26:13; Psalms 8:3; Psalms 33:6; Psalms 136:7; Psalms 136:9; Amos 5:8

Differ in splendor
1 Corinthians 15:41

Worship of, forbidden
Deuteronomy 4:19

Worshiped
2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Kings 23:5; Jeremiah 19:13; Amos 5:26; Zephaniah 1:5; Acts 7:42-43

Constellations of
Isaiah 13:10

Orion
Job 9:9; Amos 5:8

Serpent
Job 26:13

Planets
2 Kings 23:5

The morning star
Job 38:7; Revelation 2:28; Revelation 22:16
Moon

Darkening of
Job 9:7; Ecclesiastes 12:2; Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 34:4; Joel 2:10; Joel 3:15; Revelation 8:11-12

Comets
Jude 1:13

Falling of
Daniel 8:10; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:25; Revelation 6:13; Revelation 8:10; Revelation 9:1; Revelation 12:4

Figurative:

Of the deliverer
Numbers 24:17

Seven stars of the seven churches
Revelation 1:16; Revelation 1:20

Crown of twelve stars
Revelation 12:1

STAR-SHOOT, noun [star and shoot.] That which is emitted from a star.

I have seen a good quantity of that jelly, by the vulgar called a star-shoot as if it remained upon the extinction of a falling star.

[The writer once saw the same kind of substance from a brilliant meteor, at Amherst in Massachusetts. See Journ. Of Science for a description of it by Rufus Graves, Esq.]

STAR-STONE, noun Asteria, a kind of extraneous fossil, consisting of regular joints, each of which is of a radiated figure.

START, verb transitive

1. To move suddenly, as if by a twitch; as, to start in sleep or by a sudden spasm.

2. To move suddenly, as by an involuntary shrinking from sudden fear or alarm.

I start as from some dreadful dream.

3. To move with sudden quickness, as with a spring or leap.

A spirit fit to start into an empire, and look the world to law.

4. To shrink; to wince.

But if he start it is the flesh of a corrupted heart.

5. To move suddenly aside; to deviate; generally with from, out of, or aside.

Th old drudging sun from his long beaten way shall at thy voice start and misguide the day.

Keep your soul to the work when ready to start aside.

6. To set out; to commence a race, as from a barrier or goal. The horses started at the word, go.

At once they start advancing in a line.

7. To set out; to commence a journey or enterprise. The public coaches start at six oclock.

When two start into the world together--

To start up, to rise suddenly, as from a seat or couch; or to come suddenly into notice or importance.

START, verb transitive

1. To alarm; to disturb suddenly; to startle; to rouse.

Upon malicious bravery dost thou come, to start my quiet?

2. To rouse suddenly from concealment; to cause to flee or fly; as, to start a hare or a woodcock; to start game.

3. To bring into motion; to produce suddenly to view or notice.

Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Cesar.

The present occasion has started the dispute among us.

So we say, to start a question, to start an objection; that is, to suggest or propose anew.

4. To invent or discover; to bring within pursuit.

Sensual men agree in the pursuit of every pleasure they can start

5. To move suddenly from its place; to dislocate; as, to start a bone.

One started the end of the clavicle from the sternum.

6. To empty, as liquor from a cask; to pour out; as, to start wine into another cask.

START, noun

1. A sudden motion of the body, produced by spasm; a sudden twitch or spasmodic affection; as a start in sleep.

2. A sudden motion from alarm.

The fright awakend Arcite with a start

3. A sudden rousing to action; a spring; excitement.

Now fear I this will give it start again.

4. Sally; sudden motion or effusion; a bursting forth; as starts of fancy.

To check the starts and sallies of the soul.

5. Sudden fit; sudden motion followed by intermission.

For she did speak in starts distractedly.

Nature does nothing by starts and leaps, or in a hurry.

6. A quick spring; a darting; a shoot; a push; as, to give a start

Both cause the string to give a quicker start

7. First in motion from a place; act of setting out.

The start of first performance is all.

You stand like grayhounds in the slips, straining upon the start

To get the start to begin before another; to gain the advantage in a similar undertaking.

Get the start of the majestic world.

She might have forsaken him, if he had not got the start of her.

START, noun A projection; a push; a horn; a tail. IN the latter sense it occurs int he name of the bird red-start. Hence the start in Devonshire.

STARTED, participle passive Suddenly roused or alarmed; poured out, as a liquid; discovered; proposed; produced to view.

STARTER, noun

1. One that starts; one that shrinks from his purpose.

2. One that suddenly moves or suggests a question or an objection.

3. A dog that rouses game.

STARTFUL, adjective Apt to start; skittish.

STARTFULNESS, noun Aptness to start.

STAR-THISTLE, noun A plant of the genus Centaurea.

STARTING, participle present tense Moving suddenly; shrinking; rousing; commencing, as a journey, etc.

STARTING, noun The act of moving suddenly.

STARTING-HOLE, noun A loophole; evasion.

STARTINGLY, adverb By sudden fits or starts.

STARTING-POST, noun [start and post.] A post, stake, barrier or place from which competitors in a race start or begin the race.

STARTISH, adjective Apt to start; skittish; shy.

STARTLE, verb intransitive [dim. of start.] To shrink; to move suddenly or be excited on feeling a sudden alarm.

Why shrinks the soul back on herself, and startles at destruction?

STARTLE, verb transitive

1. To impress with fear; to excite by sudden alarm, surprise or apprehension; to shock; to alarm; to fright. We were startled at the cry of distress. Any great and unexpected event is apt to startle us.

The supposition that angles assume bodies, need not startle us.

2. To deter; to cause to deviate. [Little used.]

STARTLE, noun A sudden motion or shock occasioned by an unexpected alarm, surprise or apprehension of danger; sudden impression of terror.

After having recovered from my first startle I was well pleased with the accident.

STARTLED, participle passive Suddenly moved or shocked by an impression of fear or surprise.

STARTLING, participle present tense Suddenly impressing with fear or surprise.

STARTUP, noun [start and up.]

1. One that comes suddenly into notice. [Not used. We use upstart.]

2. A kind of high shoe.

STARTUP, adjective Suddenly coming into notice. [Not used.]

STARVE, verb intransitive [G., to die, either by disease or hunger, or by a wound.]

1. To perish; to be destroyed. [In this general sense, obsolete.]

2. To perish or die with cold; as, to starve with cold. [This sense is retained in England, but not in the United States.

3. To perish with hunger. [This sense is retained in England and the United States.]

4. To suffer extreme hunger or want; to be very indigent.

Sometimes virtue starves, while vice is fed.

STARVE, verb transitive

1. To kill with hunger. Maliciously to starve a man is, in law, murder.

2. To distress or subdue by famine; as, to starve a garrison into a surrender.

3. To destroy by want; as, to starve plants by the want of nutriment.

4. To kill with cold. [Not in use in the United States.]

From beds of raging fire to starve in ice their soft ethereal warmth--

5. To deprive of force or vigor.

The powers of their minds are starved by disuse. [Unusual.]

STARVED, participle passive

1. Killed with hunger; subdued by hunger; rendered poor by want.

2. Killed by cold. [Not in use in the United States.]

STARVELING, adjective starvling. Hungry; lean; pining with want.

STARVELING, noun starvling. An animal or plant that is made thin, lean and weak through want of nutriment.

And thy poor starveling bountifully fed.

STARVING, participle present tense

1. Perishing with hunger; killing with hunger; rendering lean and poor by want of nourishment.

2. Perishing with cold; killing with cold. [English.]

STAR-WORT, noun A plant of the genus Aster, and another of the genus Iridax. The yellow star-wort is of the genus Inula or elecampane.