starter

n. person or thing that starts; one who signals the beginning (e.g. of a race); person who starts in a game or race (Sports); self-starter (part of an engine); appetizer, first course

See more at Wikipedia.org...

---

Noun
1. an electric motor for starting an engine
(synonym) starter motor, starting motor
(hypernym) electric motor
(hyponym) kick starter, kick start
(part-holonym) electrical system
2. 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"
(hypernym) culture
3. a contestant who is in the game at the beginning
(hypernym) contestant
(hyponym) starting pitcher
4. the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition
(synonym) dispatcher
(hypernym) official
5. any new participant in some activity
(synonym) newcomer, fledgling, fledgeling, neophyte, freshman, newbie, entrant
(hypernym) novice, beginner, tyro, tiro, initiate
(hyponym) recruit, enlistee
(derivation) originate, initiate, start
6. food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course)
(synonym) appetizer, appetiser
(hypernym) course
(hyponym) antipasto
7. a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
(synonym) crank
(hypernym) hand tool
(hyponym) crank handle, starting handle

nm. starter, one who or that which starts, one who signals the beginning, one who enters a competition (Sports)

nm. (Sports) starter; (in a car) choke