kick starter
- noun
- /ˈkɪk ˈstɑːrtər/
- Specialized
:
palanca de arranque
- The old motorcycle still has a kick starter instead of an electric ignition.
Examples
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The kick starter is essential for starting the motorcycle.
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After fixing the engine, she tried the kick starter to see if it would work.
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He had to use all his weight to push down the kick starter.
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I need to replace the kick starter on my bike.
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He pressed the kick starter to start his motorcycle.
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To turn on the scooter, she used the kick starter with her foot.
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If the engine won't start, try using the kick starter again.
Synonyms
34
3.5
A device that makes a car or machine engine start
1
4.0
An electric motor that turns a car engine to start it
A lever on a motorcycle that you press with your foot to start the engine
A metal crank you put into an engine and turn by hand to make it run
A small electric motor in a car that turns the engine to start it
A motor that starts an engine by itself
How Powerful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun is compositionally built from 'kick' (to hit or thrust with the foot) + 'starter' (a device for starting an engine), so its meaning — a starter operated by pushing with the foot — is directly derivable from the parts. This follows a common action+device compounding pattern in English (and similar constructions exist in other languages), making it immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The noun kick starter comes from the simple image of using your foot to kick a lever to start a motorcycle's engine. So, it means 'a lever on a motorcycle used to start the engine'.