[n] a hand tool consisting of a rotating shaft with parallel handle
[n] an electric motor for starting an engine
[n] food or drink to stimulate the appetite (usually served before a meal or as the first course)
[n] any new participant in some activity
[n] the official who signals the beginning of a race or competition
[n] a contestant who is in the game at the beginning
[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; "to make sourdough you need a starter"