alarm, alarum sb. (differentiated spellings of the same word, used indiscriminately in the old edd., but in mod. edd. “alarum” is usu. appropriated to 1 and 2, and “alarm” to 3, 4, and 5)
1.
the cry or
signal ‘allarme’ (to arms) 2H6 V. ii. 3,
R3 IV. iv. 149
“strike alarum,
drums!”
2.
call to arms
R3 I. i. 7
“Our stern
alarums”
(Q1
“alarmes”); fig.
Oth. II. iii. 27
“an alarum to
love.”
3.
loud noise,
disturbance Shr. I. i. 130 (F1
“alarum”),
R2 I. i. 205
“these home
alarms.”
4.
sudden attack,
surprise
Mac. V. ii. 4
“the grim alarm”
(F1
“alarme”), Ven. 424.
5.
state of surprise or
excitement mingled with fear
Ham. II. ii. 540
“in the alarm of
fear”
(F1
“alarum,” Qq “alarme”).
