Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Alarm
A-larm′
(ȧ-lärm′)
, Noun.
1.
A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
Arming to answer in a night
alarm
. Shakespeare
2.
Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.
Sound an
alarm
in my holy mountain. Joel ii. 1.
3.
A sudden attack; disturbance; broil.
[R.]
“These home alarms.” Shak.
Thy palace fill with insults and
alarms
. Pope.
4.
Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.
Alarm
and resentment spread throughout the camp. Macaulay.
5.
A mechanical contrivance for awaking persons from sleep, or rousing their attention; an alarum.
Alarm bell
, a bell that gives notice on danger.
– Alarm clock
or watch
a clock or watch which can be so set as to ring or strike loudly at a prearranged hour, to wake from sleep, or excite attention.
– Alarm gauge
, a contrivance attached to a steam boiler for showing when the pressure of steam is too high, or the water in the boiler too low.
– Alarm post
, a place to which troops are to repair in case of an alarm.
Syn. – Fright; affright; terror; trepidation; apprehension; consternation; dismay; agitation; disquiet; disquietude.
–
Alarm
, Fright
, Terror
, Consternation
. These words express different degrees of fear at the approach of danger. Fright is fear suddenly excited, producing confusion of the senses, and hence it is unreflecting. Alarm is the hurried agitation of feeling which springs from a sense of immediate and extreme exposure. Terror is agitating and excessive fear, which usually benumbs the faculties. Consternation is overwhelming fear, and carries a notion of powerlessness and amazement. Alarm agitates the feelings; terror disorders the understanding and affects the will; fright seizes on and confuses the sense; consternation takes possession of the soul, and subdues its faculties. See Apprehension
. A-larm′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Alarmed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Alarming
.] [
Alarm
, n. Cf. F. alarmer
.] 1.
To call to arms for defense; to give notice to (any one) of approaching danger; to rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert.
2.
To keep in excitement; to disturb.
3.
To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
Alarmed
by rumors of military preparation. Macaulay.
Webster 1828 Edition
Alarm
AL'ARM
,Noun.
1.
Any sound, outcry or information intended to give notice of approaching danger as, to sound an alarm.2.
A summon to arms.3.
Sudden surprise with fear or terror; as, the fire or the enemy excited an alarm.4.
Terror; a sensation excited by an apprehension of danger, from whatever cause; as, we felt an alarm at the cry of fire.5.
In fencing, an appeal or challenge.