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alertness

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a⋅lert

  [uh-lurt]
Use alertness in a Sentence
–adjective
1. fully aware and attentive; wide-awake; keen: an alert mind.
2. swift; agile; nimble.
–noun
3. an attitude of vigilance, readiness, or caution, as before an expected attack.
4. a warning or alarm of an impending military attack, a storm, etc.: We'd just boarded the bus when the alert sounded.
5. the period during which such a warning or alarm is in effect.
–verb (used with object)
6. to warn (troops, ships, etc.) to prepare for action.
7. to warn of an impending raid, attack, storm, etc.: The radio alerted coastal residents to prepare for the hurricane.
8. to advise or warn; cause to be on guard: to alert gardeners to the dangers of some pesticides.
—Idiom
9. on the alert, on guard against danger; in readiness; vigilant: The state police are on the alert for an escaped convict believed to be in the area.
Origin:
1590–1600; 1940–45 for def. 4; < It all'erta, equiv. to all(a) to, on the + erta lookout, watchtower, orig. fem. of erto, ptp. of ergere < L ērigere to erect

Related forms:
a⋅lert⋅ly, adverb
a⋅lert⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. awake, wary, observant. Alert, vigilant, watchful imply a wide-awake attitude, as of someone keenly aware of his or her surroundings. Alert describes a ready and prompt attentiveness together with a quick intelligence: The tourist was alert and eager to see the sights. Vigilant suggests some immediate necessity for keen, active observation, and for continuing alertness: Knowing the danger, the scout was unceasingly vigilant. Watchful suggests carefulness and preparedness: watchful waiting. 2. brisk, lively, quick, active, sprightly, spirited.

Antonyms:
1. unaware.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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a·lert   (ə-lûrt')   
adj.  

  1. Vigilantly attentive; watchful: alert to danger; an alert bank guard. See Synonyms at aware.

  2. Mentally responsive and perceptive; quick.

  3. Brisk or lively in action: the bird's alert hopping from branch to branch.

n.  

  1. A signal that warns of attack or danger: Sirens sounded the alert for an air raid.

  2. A condition or period of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action: Nuclear-armed bombers were put on alert during the crisis.

tr.v.   a·lert·ed, a·lert·ing, a·lerts
To notify of approaching danger or action; warn: a flashing red light that alerted motorists to trouble ahead.

[French alerte, from Italian all' erta, on the lookout : alla, to the, on the (from Latin ad illam, to that : ad, to; see ad- + illam, feminine accusative sing. of ille, that, the; see al-1 in Indo-European roots) + erta, lookout (from past participle of ergere, to raise, from Latin ērigere; see erect).]
a·lert'ly adv., a·lert'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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