a person or thing that starts an event, activity, or process, in particular
开头的人（或事），尤指：
〈主英〉 第一道菜。
an automatic device for starting a machine, especially the engine of a vehicle
（机器，尤指引擎的）自动启动装置。
a person who gives the signal for the start of a race
（赛跑的）发令员。
[with adj.]a horse, competitor, or player taking part in a race or game at the start
参赛首发的马（或竞争者、选手）
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the trainer has confirmed Cool Ground as a definite starter .驯马师已证实“酷场”肯定是首发参赛的马。
【棒球】 （开赛的）投手。
[with adj.]a person or thing that starts in a specified way, especially with reference to time or speed
（尤指时间或速度方面）以某种方式起步者，以某种方式开端的事物
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he was a late starter in photography 他在摄影方面起步较晚
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I'm just a slow starter .我不过是个缓慢起步者。
a topic, question, or other item with which to start a group discussion or course of study
（小组讨论或研究进程的）开端话题（或问题、其他项目）
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material to act as a starter for discussion .作为讨论开端的资料。
(
〈非正式〉 可行计划（或想法）
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she began to think that she must move away, yet she knew that it was not even a starter .她开始认为她必须搬走，然而她知道这根本就行不通。
(亦作
起子培养物。
a preparation of chemicals to initiate the breakdown of vegetable matter in making compost
（制造堆肥时使植物分解的）促酵剂，引酵物。
a railway signal controlling the starting of trains from a station or other location
（火车的）发车信号。
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for starters informal first of all; to start with 〈非 正式〉 首先；一开始，开始时 -
under starter's orders （of horses, runners, or other competitors） ready to start a race and just waiting for the signal（马、赛跑运动员等竞赛者）等候号令准备起跑
