starter
UK: ˈstɑːtə | US: ˈstɑːrtər
n. a person or thing that starts something
n. a device used to start an engine
n. the first course of a meal
The word "starter" combines the verb "start," derived from Old English styrtan (to leap up or begin), with the agentive suffix "-er," which indicates a person or thing performing an action. This structure reflects its functional meaning—someone or something that initiates or enables a process. The term evolved from describing human initiators (e.g., race starters) to mechanical applications (e.g., engine starters) and culinary uses (e.g., meal starters).
The starter fired the pistol to begin the race.
My car’s starter malfunctioned this morning.
We shared a soup as a starter before the main course.
She was a late starter in learning the piano.
The yeast acts as a starter for the bread dough.