–verb (used without object)

1.	to begin or set out, as on a journey or activity.

2.	to appear or come suddenly into action, life, view, etc.; rise or issue suddenly forth.

3.	to spring, move, or dart suddenly from a position or place: The rabbit started from the bush.

4.	to be among the entrants in a race or the initial participants in a game or contest.

5.	to give a sudden, involuntary jerk, jump, or twitch, as from a shock of surprise, alarm, or pain: The sudden clap of thunder caused everyone to start.

6.	to protrude: eyes seeming to start from their sockets.

7.	to s 224 pring, slip, or work loose from place or fastenings, as timbers or other structural parts.

–verb (used with object)

8.	to set moving, going, or acting; to set in operation: to start an automobile; to start a fire.

9.	to establish or found: to start a new business.

10.	to begin work on: to start a book.

11.	to enable or help (someone) set out on a journey, a career, or the like: The record started the young singer on the road to stardom.

12.	to cause or choose to be an entrant in a game or contest: He started his ace pitcher in the crucial game.

13.	to cause (an object) to work loose from place or fastenings.

14.	to rouse (game) from its lair or covert; flush.

15.	to draw or discharge (liquid or other contents) from a vessel or container; empty (a container).

16.	Archaic. to cause to twitch, jump, or flinch involuntarily; startle.

–noun

17.	a beginning of an action, journey, etc.

18.	a signal to move, proceed, or begin, as on a course or in a race.

19.	a place or time from which something begins.

20.	the first part or beginning segment of anything: The start of the book was good but the last half was dull.

21.	an instance of being a participant in a race or an initial participant in a game or contest: The horse won his first two starts.

22.	a sudden, springing movement from a position.

23.	a sudden, involuntary jerking movement of the body: to awake with a start.

24.	a lead or advance of specified amount, as over competitors or pursuers.

25.	the position or advantage of one who starts first: The youngest child should have the start over the rest.

26.	a chance, opportunity, aid, or encouragement given to one starting on a course or career: The bride's parents gave the couple a start by buying them a house.

27.	a spurt of activity.

28.	a starting of parts from their place or fastenings in a structure.

29.	the resulting break or opening.

30.	an outburst or sally, as of emotion, wit, or fancy.

–noun

1.	an occupation, profession, or trade: His business is poultry farming.

2.	the purchase and sale of goods in an attempt to make a profit.

3.	a person, partnership, or corporation engaged in commerce, manufacturing, or a service; profit-seeking enterprise or concern.

4.	volume of trade; patronage: Most of the store's business comes from local families.

5.	a building or site where commercial work is carried on, as a factory, store, or office; place of work: His business is on the corner of Broadway and Elm Street.

6.	that with which a person is principally and seriously concerned: Words are a writer's business.

7.	something with which a person is rightfully concerned: What they are doing is none of my business.

8.	affair; project: We were exasperated by the whole business.

9.	an assignment or task; chore: It's your business to wash the dishes now.

10.	Also called piece of business, stage business. Theater. a movement or gesture, esp. a minor one, used by an actor to give expressiveness, drama, detail, etc., to a scene or to help portray a character.

11.	excrement: used as a euphemism.

–adjective

12.	of, noting, or pertaining to business, its organization, or its procedures.

13.	containing, suitable for, or welcoming business or commerce: New York is a good business town.

—Idioms

14.	business is business, profit has precedence over personal considerations: He is reluctant to fire his friend, but business is business.

15.	do one's business, (usually of an animal or child) to defecate or urinate: housebreaking a puppy to do his business outdoors.

16.	get down to business, to apply oneself to serious matters; concentrate on work: They finally got down to business and signed the contract.

17.

give someone the business, Informal. a. to make difficulties for someone; treat harshly: Instead of a straight answer they give him the business with a needless run-around. b. to scold severely; give a tongue-lashing to: The passengers will give the bus driver the business if he keeps driving so recklessly.

18.	have no business, to have no right: You have no business coming into this house.

19.	mean business, fe7 to propose to take action or be serious in intent; be in earnest: By the fire in his eye we knew that he meant business.

20.	mind one's own business, to refrain from meddling in the affairs of others: When he inquired about the noise coming from the neighbor's apartment, he was told to mind his own business.