The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Announce \An*nounce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Announced; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Announcing.] [OF. anoncier, F. annoncer, fr. L.
   annuntiare; ad + nuntiare to report, relate, nuntius
   messenger, bearer of news. See Nuncio, and cf.
   Annunciate.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To give public notice, or first notice of; to make known;
      to publish; to proclaim.
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            Her [Q. Elizabeth's] arrival was announced through
            the country by a peal of cannon from the ramparts.
                                                  --Gilpin.
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   2. To pronounce; to declare by judicial sentence.
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            Publish laws, announce
            Or life or death.                     --Prior.
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   Syn: To proclaim; publish; make known; herald; declare;
        promulgate.

   Usage: To Publish, Announce, Proclaim, Promulgate. We
          publish what we give openly to the world, either by
          oral communication or by means of the press; as, to
          publish abroad the faults of our neighbors. We
          announce what we declare by anticipation, or make
          known for the first time; as, to announce the speedy
          publication of a book; to announce the approach or
          arrival of a distinguished personage. We proclaim
          anything to which we give the widest publicity; as, to
          proclaim the news of victory. We promulgate when
          we proclaim more widely what has before been known by
          some; as, to promulgate the gospel.
          [1913 Webster]