tocsin vs alert

tocsin and alert both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
tocsin	Yes	No	No	No
alert	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

As nouns, alert is a hypernym of tocsin; that is, alert is a word with a broader meaning than tocsin:

Other hypernyms of tocsin include alarm, alarum, warning signal.

tocsin (noun)	alert (noun)
a bell used to sound an alarm	a warning serves to make you more alert to danger
the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)	an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger
	condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action

tocsin (adjective)	alert (adjective)
	engaged in or accustomed to close observation
	mentally perceptive and responsive
	quick and energetic

tocsin (verb)	alert (verb)
	warn or arouse to a sense of danger or call to a state of preparedness