n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' l ə rt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Italian all'erta, on the watch, literally, on the height
Date: 1618
1 a : watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency b : quick to perceive and act
2 : ACTIVE , BRISK
synonyms see WATCHFUL , INTELLIGENT
– alert · ly adverb
– alert · ness noun