Definition of: alarm

(ə·lärm′) noun
1. Sudden fear or apprehension arousing to defense or escape.
2. Any sound or signal to apprise of danger or arouse from ′sleep.
3. A mechanism, as of a clock, giving such signal.
4. A call to arms, to meet danger.
5. Obs. A sudden attack.
—v.t.
1. To strike with sudden fear.
2. To arouse to a sense of danger; give warning to. See synonyms under FRIGHTEN. [<OF alarme <Ital. all′ arme to arms])
—a·larm′a·ble adjective Synonyms (noun): affright, apprehension, consternation, dismay, disquiet, dread, fear, fright, panic, terror, timidity. Alarm, according to its derivation, is a sudden arousal to meet and repel danger and may be quite consistent with true courage. Apprehension, disquiet, and dread are in anticipation of danger; consternation, dismay, and terror are overwhelming fear, generally in the actual presence of that which is terrible. Compare FEAR. Antonyms: assurance, calmness, confidence, repose, security.