starter

Meanings

Noun

• an electric motor for starting an engine
• a contestant in a team sport who is in the game at the beginning
• the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition
• any new participant in some activity
• food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course)
• a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
• a culture containing yeast or bacteria that is used to start the process of fermentation or souring in making butter or cheese or dough
  • "to make sourdough you need a starter"

Synonyms

appetiser, appetizer, crank, dispatcher, entrant, fledgeling, fledgling, freshman, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, starter motor, starting motor