tocsin

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)
  2. noun a bell used to sound an alarm

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French toquesain (modern tocsin), from Old Occitan tocasenh, from tocar (“strike, touch”) + senh (“bell”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

alarm bell

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