An archaic or poetic spelling of alarm; a warning signal, call to arms, or sudden outbreak of noise signaling danger.
From Middle English, a variant spelling of alarm that emphasizes the sound quality, from Old French alarmee (to arms), still used in historical texts and Shakespeare's plays.
In Shakespeare, when characters shout 'Alarum!' it's like a stage direction for chaos—it literally signaled actors to make noise and commotion, creating the impression of battle or disaster happening offstage.
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