Alarm
/əˈlɑːrm/noun
A warning signal or a sudden feeling of fear or concern.
Did you know?“Alarm” entered English through Italian and French as a military call to arms, and its original force was less “be careful” and more “enemy attack right now.”
Etymological Timeline
Italian
Italian
all'arme
“to the arms!; a call to take up weapons”
Old French
Old French
à l'arme
“to the arms!; battle cry”
16th Century
English
alarm
“a call to arms; a warning of danger”
Modern English
English
alarm
“a warning signal or a sudden feeling of fear or concern”