Warn, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. WARNED; p. pr. & vb. n. WARNING.] [A-S. warnian, warenian, wearnian, wearnigean, O. Sax. warnian, warnian, O. Fries. warna, werna, Icel. & Sw. varna, O. H. Ger. warnōn, giwarnōn, M. & N. H. Ger. warnen, allied to ware, wary, q. v.]
Sense 1. To make ware or aware; to give previous information to; to give notice to; to notify; to admonish; hence, to notify or summon by authority; as, to warn a town-meeting. “Warned of the ensuing fight.” Dryden.
Cornelius . . . was warned from God, by a holy angel, to send for thee. Acts 10:22.
Sense 2. To give notice to of approaching or probable danger or evil; to caution against any thing that may prove injurious.
Juturna warns the Daunian chief Of Lausus’ danger. Dryden.
Sense 3. To ward off. [Obs.]
Spenser.