starting handle

noun

, British.

1. a crank used to start the motor of an automobile.

Word History and Origins

Origin of starting handle¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

She just walked to the starting handles and grabbed them - lugers use them to rock back and forth on the sled to build momentum for the start - like she’s done every time.

From Washington Times

She just walked to the starting handles and grabbed them — lugers use them to rock back and forth on the sled to build momentum for the start — like she’s done every time.

From Seattle Times

He once left it in gear, turned the starting handle and it ran him over.

From The Guardian

"Eh va bene", he murmured through closed lips, and leaned forward grimly for the starting handle.

From Project Gutenberg

It is used to change the reciprocating movement of the piston into a rotary motion of the flywheel; it has a starting handle at one end and the flywheel at the other, as you observe.

From Project Gutenberg