starting point; point of departure; initial point
Refers to the beginning of a journey, process, line, or argument. Often used in technical or abstract contexts.
Let's clarify the starting point of the discussion.
Please measure the distance from the starting point to the end point of this line.
始点 means the starting point of a route or process, the direct opposite of 終点.
Compound of 始 (beginning) and 点 (point). The reading してん is the standard on'yomi combination.