arm 1
(ärm)n.1. An upper limb of the human body, connecting the hand and wrist to the shoulder.
2. A part similar to a human arm, such as the forelimb of an animal or a long part projecting from a central support in a machine.
3. Something, such as a sleeve on a garment or a support on a chair, that is designed to cover or support the human arm.
4. A relatively narrow extension jutting out from a large mass:
an arm of the sea. See Synonyms at
branch.
5. An administrative or functional branch, as of an organization.
6. Power or authority: the long arm of the law.
7. Sports The skill of throwing or pitching a ball well.
Idioms: an arm and a leg Slang An excessively high price: a cruise that cost an arm and a leg.
arm in arm With arms linked together: They walked across the beach arm in arm.
at arm's length At such a distance that physical or social contact is discouraged: kept the newcomer at arm's length at first.
with open arms With great cordiality and hospitality.
armed (ärmd) adj.
arm 2
(ärm)n.1. A weapon, especially a firearm: troops bearing arms; ICBMs, bombs, and other nuclear arms.
2. A branch of a military force: infantry, armor, and other combat arms.
3. armsa. Warfare: a call to arms against the invaders.
b. Military service: several million volunteers under arms; the profession of arms.
4. armsa. Heraldry Bearings.
b. Insignia, as of a state, an official, a family, or an organization.
v. armed, arm·ing, arms
v.intr.1. To supply or equip oneself with weaponry.
2. To prepare oneself for warfare or conflict.
v.tr.1. To equip with weapons: armed themselves with loaded pistols; arm a missile with a warhead; arm a nation for war.
2. To equip with what is needed for effective action: tax advisers who were armed with the latest forms.
3. To provide with something that strengthens or protects: a space reentry vehicle that was armed with a ceramic shield.
4. To prepare (a weapon or electronic system, such as an alarm) for use or operation, as by releasing a safety device.
Idiom: up in arms Extremely upset; indignant.
[From Middle English
armes,
weapons, from Old French, pl. of
arme,
weapon, from Latin
arma,
weapons; see
ar- in
Indo-European roots. Verb, Middle English
armen, from Old French
armer, from Latin
armāre, from
arma.]
armed (ärmd) adj.
arm′er n.
ARM
abbr. adjustable-rate mortgage
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
armed
(ɑːmd) adj1. equipped with or supported by arms, armour, etc
2. prepared for conflict or any difficulty
3. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) (of an explosive device) prepared for use; having a fuse or detonator installed
4. (Botany) (of plants) having the protection of thorns, spines, etc
armed
(ɑːmd) adja. having an arm or arms
b. (in combination): long-armed; one-armed.
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
armed
(ɑrmd)
adj. 1. involving the use of weapons: armed conflict.
2. maintained by arms: armed peace.
3. equipped: The students came armed with their pocket calculators.
4. fortified; made secure: armed by an innate optimism.
[1250–1300]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.