starting handle

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Word: Starting Handle

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A starting handle is a crank or lever used to manually start an engine, especially in older vehicles or machines. It is usually attached to the front of the engine and is turned to get the engine running.

Usage Instructions:

• The starting handle is primarily used in older cars, motorcycles, or machinery where engines are not started with a key or button.
• To use it, you would typically insert the handle into the designated slot and turn it in a specific direction to crank the engine.

Example:

• "To start the vintage car, he had to use the starting handle, turning it several times before the engine roared to life."

Advanced Usage:

• In some contexts, you might hear the term used metaphorically to mean getting something started or initiating a process. For example, "We need a starting handle to kick off this project."

Word Variants:

• Starting (verb) - the action of beginning something.
• Handle (noun) - a part of an object designed for holding, moving, or carrying it.

Different Meanings:

• While "starting handle" specifically refers to an engine crank, the word "handle" on its own can refer to a part of an object designed for gripping, such as a door handle or a suitcase handle.

Synonyms:

• Crank
• Hand crank

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Get the ball rolling" - This idiom means to start an activity or process, similar to how a starting handle initiates the engine.
• "Crank up" - This phrasal verb means to increase something, especially in terms of intensity or volume, but it can also refer to starting something with effort, reminiscent of cranking a handle.

Summary:

The term "starting handle" refers to a manual device used to start engines in older vehicles.

Academic

Noun

1. crank used to start an engine

Synonyms

• crank handle