I. ə-ˈlärm noun
also ala·rum ə-ˈlär-əm also -ˈler-; -ˈla-rəm
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
II. transitive verb
also alarum
Date: 1651
1. : disturb , excite
2. : to give warning to
3. : to strike with fear
4. : to equip with an alarm
• alarm·ing·ly -ˈlär-miŋ-lē adverb