alarm

English

/əˈlɑːm/, /əˈlɑɹm/

noun
Definitions
  • A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
  • Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.
  • A sudden attack; disturbance.
  • Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.
  • A mechanical device for awaking people, or rousing their attention.
  • An instance of an alarm ringing, beeping or clanging, to give a noise signal at a certain time.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English alarme borrowed from Middle French alarme derived from Latin arma (defensive arms, weapons, arms, weapons of war, tools, shields, armour, soldiers, war, weapon, defense).

Origin

Latin

arma

Gloss

defensive arms, weapons, arms, weapons of war, tools, shields, armour, soldiers, war, weapon, defense

Concept
Semantic Field

Warfare and hunting

Ontological Category

Person/Thing

Kanji

甲

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms