688. Warning

1. Canterbury bells fairies’ church bells; relied on for vigilance. [Flower Symbolism: Flora Symbolica, 167]
2. Capitoline geese squawked obstreperously at sight of invader mounting rampart. [Rom. Hist.: Benét, 166]
3. cock crows at trespassers; morning call routs evil spirits. [Folklore: White, 150; Mercatante, 173–175]
4. crow’s cry warning of death or illness. [Western Folklore: Jobes, 388]
5. fiery cross traditional Highlands call to arms. [Scot. Hist.: Brewer Note-Book, 324–325]
6. Laocoön Trojan priest warns citizens not to accept wooden horse. [Rom. Lit.: Aeneid ]
7. Olivant Roland’s ivory horn; sounded to summon Charlemagne. [Fr. Lit.: The Song of Roland ]
8. Revere, Paul (1735–1818) famous American patriot who warned, “The British are coming” (1775). [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 425–426]

warn·ing / ˈwôrning/ • n. a statement or event that indicates a possible or impending danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation: a warning about heavy thunderstorms | suddenly and without any warning, the army opened fire | [as adj.] a red warning light. ∎  cautionary advice: a word of warning—don't park illegally. ∎  advance notice of something: she had only had four days' warning before leaving Berlin. ∎  an experience or sight that serves as a cautionary example to others: his death should be a warning to everyone.DERIVATIVES: warn·ing·ly adv.