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alert

a·lert [ ə lúrt ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. watchful: watchful and ready to deal with whatever happens

2. mentally lively: clear-headed and responsive



noun  (plural a·lerts)
Definition:
 
1. warning of danger: an alarm or warning of danger

2. time of danger: a period of time during which an alert remains in force



transitive verb  (past and past participle a·lert·ed, present participle a·lert·ing, 3rd person present singular a·lerts)
Definition:
 
warn somebody: to make somebody aware of a possible danger or difficulty
Police have alerted the public to the danger.

[Late 16th century. Via French alerte< Italian all'erta "on the lookout"]

a·lert·ly adverb
a·lert·ness noun

on the alert watchful and ready to deal with whatever happens

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