Alarm

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /əˈlɑːm/
• US IPA: /əˈlɑɹm/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)m

Alternative forms

• alarum

Origin

From Middle English alarme, alarom, from Middle French alarme, itself from Old Italian all'arme! ("to arms!, to the weapons!"), ultimately from Latin arma ("arms, weapons").

Full definition of alarm

Noun

1. A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.''Arming to answer in a night alarm. --Shakespeare.
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.
3. A sudden attack; disturbance.
• Shakespearethese home alarms
• Alexander Popethy palace fill with insults and alarms
4. 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. --Thomas Babington Macaulay.
5. A mechanical device for awaking people, or rousing their attention.''The clockradio is a friendlier version of the cold alarm by the bedside
6. An instance of an alarum ringing or clanging, to give a noise signal at a certain time.''You should set the alarm on your watch to go off at seven o'clock.

Related terms

• alarm bell
• alarm clock
• alarm reaction
• fire alarm
• raise the alarm

Verb

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

Related terms

• alarming
• alarmist

Anagrams

• malar, Marla, marla, ramal