aˈlarm-ˌbell, aˈlarum-ˌbell
A bell rung as a signal of danger or on a sudden emergency; as the tocsin of burghs in olden times. Also fig.
| 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iii. i. 17 A common Larum-Bell. 1641 Hinde J. Bruen lviii. 175, I feare..that the Alarum Bell of your conscience is silenced. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. III. xlix. 108 The alarum-bell rung to arms in every quarter of the city. 1834 Carlyle Fr. Rev. I. iii. viii. 128 The alarm-bell bursts forth, ominous; and peals and booms all day. a 1849 Poe Bells Wks. 1859, 75 Hear the loud alarum bells—Brazen bells! |