n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' lärm
Variant: also ala · rum \ ə - ' lär- ə m also - ' ler-; - ' la-r ə m \
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English alarme, alarom, from Middle French alarme, from Old Italian all'arme, literally, to the arms
Date: 14th century
1 usually 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 danger
4 : a warning notice
synonyms see FEAR