alert

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   engaged in or accustomed to close observation

   caught by a couple of alert cops

2. 2
   adj

   mentally perceptive and responsive

   an alert mind

3. 3
   noun

   condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action

   bombers were put on alert during the crisis

4. 4
   verb

   to warn or arouse to a sense of danger or call to a state of preparedness

   I alerted them of the impending storm.

5. 5
   adj

   brisk; nimble; moving with celerity.

   I saw an alert young fellow that cocked his hat upon a friend of his who entered just at the same time with myself

6. 6
   noun

   A state of readiness for potential combat.

   an airborne alert; ground alert

7. 7
   adj

   quick and energetic

8. 8
   noun

   an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger

Etymology

From French alerte (“alert”), from the phrase à l'erte (“on the watch”), from Italian all'erta (“to the height”), from erta (“lookout, tower”).