Alarm
WordNet
noun
(1) A device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event
(2) A clock that wakes sleeper at preset time
(3) An automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger
(4) Fear resulting from the awareness of danger
verb
(5) Warn or arouse to a sense of danger or call to a state of preparedness
"The empty house alarmed him"
"We alerted the new neighbors to the high rate of burglaries"
(6) Fill with apprehension or alarm; cause to be unpleasantly surprised
"I was horrified at the thought of being late for my interview"
"The news of the executions horrified us"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From alarme, alarom, from alarme, itself from Old , ultimately from .
Noun
- A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
- Arming to answer in a night alarm. --Shakespeare.
- 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. --Alexander Pope.
- 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.
- A mechanical device for awaking people, or rousing their attention.
- The clockradio is a friendlier version of the cold alarm by the bedside
- 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
- 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.