pre-alarm

a·larm

P p

Definitions of pre-alarm word

noun pre-alarm an automatic device that serves to call attention, to rouse from sleep, or to warn of fire, smoke, an intruder, etc. 2
noun pre-alarm a sudden fear or distressing suspense caused by an awareness of danger; apprehension; fright. 1
noun pre-alarm any sound, outcry, or information intended to warn of approaching danger: Paul Revere raced through the countryside raising the alarm that the British were coming. 1
noun pre-alarm a warning sound; signal for attention. 1
noun pre-alarm Animal Behavior. any sound, outcry, chemical discharge, action, or other signal that functions to draw attention to a potential predator. 1
noun pre-alarm Fencing. an appeal or a challenge made by a step or stamp on the ground with the advancing foot. 1

before 1350

One of the 20% oldest English words

1350-1400; Middle English alarme, alarom < Middle French < Old Italian allarme, noun from phrase all'arme to (the) arms. See arm2

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".