English

Etymology

French alarme , Italian all' arme to arms ! fr. Latin arma, pl., arms. See Arms, and compare with Alarum .

Pronunciation

IPA: WEAE /ˈʌ.lɑɹm/

Noun

1. A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.

   Arming to answer in a night alarm. --Shak.

2. Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.

   Sound an alarm in my holy mountain. --Joel ii. 1.

   Thy palace fill with insults and alarms. --Pope.

3. Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.

   Alarm and resentment spread throughout the camp. --Macaulay.

4. A mechanical contrivance for awaking persons from sleep, or rousing their attention; an alarum.

Transitive Verb

1. To call to arms for defense; to give notice to (any one) of approaching danger; to rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert.
2. To keep in excitement; to disturb.
3. To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.

Related terms

Alarm clock