Alert
/əˈlɜːrt/noun
Quick to notice and respond to danger or changes.
Did you know?English got alert through French from Italian military language, and its oldest sense was basically “watch out!”—a survival word forged in real danger, not casual attention.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Italian
all'erta
“literally “to the height,” a military cry meaning “on the lookout” or “keep watch””
16th Century
French
alerte
“a warning cry; being on guard”
17th Century
English
alert
“watchful, on guard, ready for danger”
Modern English
English
alert
“quick to notice and respond to danger or change”