alarm

Meanings

Noun

• A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
• Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.
• A sudden attack; disturbance.
• Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.
• A mechanical device for awaking people, or rousing their attention.
• An instance of an alarm ringing, beeping or clanging, to give a noise signal at a certain time.

Verb

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

Origin

• From Middle English alarme, alarom, borrowed from Middle French alarme, itself from Old Italian all'arme!, ultimately from Latin arma.