(n): a motor that converts electricity to mechanical work
(n): a contestant in a team sport who is in the game at the beginning
(n): a person who participates in competitions
(n): the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition
(n): someone who administers the rules of a game or sport
(n): any new participant in some activity
(n): someone new to a field or activity
(n): food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course)
(n): part of a meal served at one time
(n): a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
(n): a tool used with workers' hands
(n): a culture containing yeast or bacteria that is used to start the process of fermentation or souring in making butter or cheese or dough
(n): (biology) the growing of microorganisms in a nutrient medium (such as gelatin or agar)
"One who leaves a jolly company, a milksop; he is no starter, he will sit longer than a hen."
- Francis Grose, 'The Vulgar Tongue'.