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Alarm vs Consternation - What's the difference?

alarm | consternation | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between alarm and consternation

is that alarm is a summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy while consternation is amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.

As a verb alarm

is to call to arms for defense.

alarm

English

Alternative forms

* alarum

Noun

  • A summons to arms, as on the approach of an enemy.
    • ''Arming to answer in a night alarm . --Shakespeare.
  • Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger; a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger.
    • ''Sound an alarm in my holy mountain. --Joel ii. 1.
  • A sudden attack; disturbance.
  • * Shakespeare
    • these home alarms
  • * Alexander Pope
    • thy palace fill with insults and alarms
  • Sudden surprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked by surprise.
    • ''Alarm and resentment spread throughout the camp. --.
  • A mechanical device for awaking people, or rousing their attention.
    • ''The clockradio is a friendlier version of the cold alarm by the bedside
  • An instance of an alarum ringing or clanging, to give a noise signal at a certain time.
    • ''You should set the alarm on your watch to go off at seven o'clock.

    Related terms

    * alarm bell * alarm clock * alarm reaction * fire alarm * raise the alarm

    See also

    * tocsin

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To call to arms for defense
  • To give (someone) notice of approaching danger
  • To rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert.
  • To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
  • To keep in excitement; to disturb.

    • Related terms

    * alarming * alarmist

    References

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    consternation

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.
  • * ? , ,
    • It was probably worth four millennia of consternation and regret.
  • * The Awakening , ,
    • "Out!" exclaimed her husband, with something like genuine consternation in his voice.
  • * 2003 , Terrance Dicks & Barry Letts, Deadly Reunion , chapter 17
    • Their audience had been listening in increasing consternation .