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n. 1. Sudden fear or concern caused by the realization of danger or an impending setback. See Synonyms at fear. 2. A warning of existing or approaching danger: The committee's report issued an alarm about the dangerous condition of the town's buildings. 3. A device that is used to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal: a fire alarm. 4. The sounding mechanism of an alarm clock: The alarm went off at 6:30. 5. A call to arms. tr.v. a·larmed, a·larm·ing, a·larms 1. To fill with alarm or anxious concern. See Synonyms at frighten. 2. To give warning to: "The soldiers ... killed every dog within three miles to prevent a bark that would alarm the enemy" (William Least Heat-Moon). 3. To equip with or protect by an alarm: The dormitory doors are alarmed from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM. [Middle English, from Old French alarme, from Old Italian allarme, from all'arme, to arms : alla, to the (from Latin ad illa : ad, to; see AD- + illa, neuter pl. of ille, that, the; see al-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots) + arme, arms (from Latin arma; see ar- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] a·larming·ly adv. |
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