alerce

[Sp. alerce = the larch-tree; from Lat. Lariz; Gr. λάριξ (lariz) = the larch ( Larix europara.] The Spanish name for the European larch and the American species of the Pine family akin to it. "On the higher parts, brushwood takes the place of larger trees, with w here and there a red cedar or an alerce pine."-Darwin: Voyage round the World, ch. IMG:content-0353.png:[ocr errors] al-črt, adj . & s. [Fr. alerte; Sp. alerto; Ral. all' erta = on the watch erta = hill, dectivity; stare all ' erta = to stand on one's guard ( lit. , on the hill); erto = steep, upright; Lat. erect us = upright, erect, lofty; pa. par. of erigo to put up straight, to erect.] A. As adjective: 1. Watchful, vigilant; not to be thrown off one's guard. "The male contents who were leagued with France were alert and fuil of hope."- Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch. xv. 2. Brisk, sprightly, quick in movement, and flippant in speech and conduct. "1 suv an alert young fellow that cocked his hat upon riend of his, and accosted hin i, Well, Jack, the old prig is dead at last.'"-Add is on: Spectator. B. As substantive: Watch. On the alert: On the watch, on one's guard; ready in a moment to start up and act. (Used specially of a military or civil watch, but also of a political party, or of an individual, .) "Nestor gives the watch an exhortation to be on the act , and then re-enters within the trench."Glads me: Studies on Homer , vol. iii., 35, 36.