startle

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star|tle /st'ɑːrtəl/ (startles startling startled)
[VERB] V n, V n
If something sudden and unexpected startles you, it surprises and frightens you slightly.
The telephone startled him...
The news will startle the City.
● startled [ADJ]
Martha gave her a startled look.

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ablaze

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allowance

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