starter

noun

• 1 [with adjective] a person or thing that starts in a specified way:he was a late starter in photography I’m just a slow starter
• a person who gives the signal for the start of a race.
• [with adjective] a horse, competitor, or player taking part in a race or game at the start:the trainer has confirmed Cool Ground as a definite starter
• Baseball the pitcher who starts the game.
• Baseball a pitcher who normally starts games, and seldom is used as a relief pitcher.
• a topic, question, or other item with which to start a group discussion or course of study:material to act as a starter for discussion
• [as modifier] denoting something regarded as suitable for a person who is new to a particular activity, product, etc.:consumers upgrading from a regular mobile phone to a starter smartphone

• 2an automatic device for starting a machine, especially the engine of a vehicle.

• 3chiefly British the first course of a meal; an appetizer.

• 4 (also starter culture) a bacterial culture used to initiate souring in making yogurt, cheese, or butter.
• a preparation of chemicals to initiate the breakdown of vegetable matter in making compost.