Main Entry:

¹alarm

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈlärm\

Variant(s):

also ala·rum \ə-ˈlär-əm also -ˈler-; -ˈla-rəm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English alarme, alarom, from Middle French alarme, from Old Italian all'arme, literally, to the arms

Date:

14th century

1usually alarum archaic : a call to arms <the angry trumpet sounds alarum — Shakespeare>2: a signal (as a loud noise or flashing light) that warns or alerts ; also : a device that signals <set the alarm to wake me at seven>3: sudden sharp apprehension and fear resulting from the perception of imminent danger4: a warning notice

synonyms see fear