Formerly also = anything that surprises or alarms, matter for disquietude or agitation of spirit: after French (avoir or mettre) la puce à l'oreille.

In various objective senses. An object of fear; something that is, or is to be, feared. In the Bible occasionally by a Hebraism, the object of (a…

An instance of causing terror; a person or thing that causes alarm or dismay; (in weakened sense) a scene, a to-do. Now rare.

slang. (Of U.S. origin.) Anything that staggers, or excites alarm or astonishment; an extraordinary thing or person.