A bell rung as a signal of danger or on a sudden emergency; as the tocsin of burghs in olden times. Also fig.
1597. Shaks., 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!
