The beginning of some (esp. unpleasant) situation, condition, or state, etc.; a commencement, a start. †to give the onset: to make a beginning, to…

The action or an act of starting to move, originally at the beginning of a race, later of any journey.

The action of setting out or starting on a journey, course of action, undertaking, etc.; a start, an outset. Now rare.

The act of setting off (on a journey or course of action); outset, beginning, start. Now rare.

The starting up of a series of operations, a piece of machinery, a business, etc.; the action or an act of beginning to function or operate.