Alarm Definition
ə-lärm
alarmed, alarms
noun
alarms
Sudden fear or concern caused by the realization of danger or an impending setback.
American Heritage
A sudden call to arms.
Webster's New World
A warning of existing or approaching danger.
The committee's report issued an alarm about the dangerous condition of the town's buildings.
American Heritage
A signal, sound, cry, etc. that is a warning of danger.
Webster's New World
A device that is used to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal.
A fire alarm.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
alarmed, alarms
To fill with alarm or anxious concern.
American Heritage
To warn of approaching danger.
Webster's New World
To give warning to.
American Heritage
To make suddenly afraid or anxious; frighten.
Webster's New World
To equip with or protect by an alarm.
The dormitory doors are alarmed from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Alarm
Noun
Singular:
alarm
Plural:
alarmsOrigin of Alarm
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Middle English from Old French alarme from Old Italian allarme from all'arme to arms alla to the (from Latin ad illa) (ad to ad–) (illa) (neuter pl. of ille that, the al-1 in Indo-European roots) arme arms (from Latin arma ar- in Indo-European roots)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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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”).
From Wiktionary
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