alarm

Forms

1.A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
- Arming to answer in a night alarm.
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.
- She went about the house in a state of real terror, and yet lied monstrously and wilfully, and invented many of the alarms she spread, and made many of the sounds we heard.
3.A device intended to warn or give notice of approaching danger.
- The fire alarm is located high on the wall to prevent tampering.
4.A sudden attack; a disturbance.

1.To call to arms for defense.
2.To give (someone) notice of approaching danger or necessary action; to rouse to vigilance; to put on the alert.
- Her illness started to alarm the doctors, who ordered more tests.
- The sudden drop in temperature should alarm you into taking precautions.
3.To produce a warning of approaching danger or necessary action; to emit a signal intended to rouse a recipient to vigilance or put them on the alert.
- The tower cab supervisor and various pilots stated that the LLWAS system frequently alarms because of the thunderstorm activity present, and that airspeed losses are common as a result of convective wind shear.
4.To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
- The loud bang in the hallway seemed to alarm everyone in the building.

Uncommon· #3833

From Middle English alarme, alarom, borrowed from Middle French alarme, itself from Old Italian all'arme!

(“to arms!, to the weapons!”), ultimately from Latin arma (“arms, weapons”).