Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun plural Instruments or weapons of offense or defense.
  • noun plural The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science.
  • noun plural (Law) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.
  • noun plural (Her.) The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.
  • noun plural (Falconry) The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot.
  • noun plural educated to the profession of a soldier.
  • noun plural armed for war; in a state of hostility.
  • noun plural portable firearms known as muskets, rifles, carbines, pistols, etc.
  • noun plural a complete set for one soldier, as a musket, bayonet, cartridge box and belt; frequently, the musket and bayonet alone.
  • noun plural ! a summons to war or battle.
  • noun plural armed and equipped and in readiness for battle, or for a military parade.
  • noun plural See under Arm.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of arm.
  • noun Weapons.
  • noun heraldry Synonym for coat of arms.
  • noun Plural form of arm.
  • verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of arm.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun weapons considered collectively
  • noun the official symbols of a family, state, etc.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

See arm.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

13th Century, from Old French armes, Latin arma.

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Examples

  • The feet, legs and arms should be warmly clothed, especially the _arms_, as an exposure of them to cold is liable to induce affections of the lungs, and to aggravate any existing disease of those organs.

    An Epitome of the Homeopathic Healing Art Containing the New Discoveries and Improvements to the Present Time

  • At Toronto the objects of the expedition were made known to nearly all of them, and arms furnished them -- _arms manufactured in New York city and shipped to Canada for that express purpose_.

    The Great North-Western Conspiracy in All Its Startling Details I. Windslow Ayer

  • No image of the _sea_ is suggested; and arms, incongruous in relation to the literal sea, is not so in relation to a multitude; besides, that the image _arms_ itself, evanesces for the same reason into

    Theological Essays and Other Papers — Volume 1 Thomas De Quincey 1822

  • At four o'clock in the afternoon, after we had passed the greatest heat of the day in the disgusting tents of the Mooresses, stretched by their side, we heard a cry of "_To arms, to arms_!"

    Naufrage de la frigate la Méduse. English Jean Baptiste Henri Savigny 1818

  • IV. iii.290 (417,8) [affection's men at arms] _A man at arms_, is a soldier armed at all points both offensively and defensively.

    Notes to Shakespeare — Volume 01: Comedies Samuel Johnson 1746

  • First, under islamic law men are allowed to carry “Arms” but the term arms in these cases is reserved to the carrying of ceremonial daggers.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Iranian gun laws bleg: 2009

  • The other reason a lot of folks are up in arms is because a handful of the tracks have the kind of dirty names you can't say on the radio ( "Titty F*ck", "Just F*cking"), that you'd expect out of someone like DJ Assault or 2 Live Crew, not the sweet-natured Dear.

    Music (For Robots): October 2005 Archives 2005

  • The other reason a lot of folks are up in arms is because a handful of the tracks have the kind of dirty names you can't say on the radio ( "Titty F*ck", "Just F*cking"), that you'd expect out of someone like DJ Assault or 2 Live Crew, not the sweet-natured Dear.

    Songs about a little something... (Music (For Robots)) 2005

  • Over the span of 10 hours, The Pacific takes an unflinching look at the experiences of these men and their brothers in arms, which is nothing less than what is expected from the man responsible for the personal looks at war that he brought audiences in both Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers.

    Steven Spielberg Interview HBO’s THE PACIFIC – Collider.com 2010

  • In our arms is the child of our ever - delving intellect, but another deliverance is about to be and the suffering is great.

    The Kempton-Wace Letters 2010

Comments

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  • Yup, I think we've got a pattern. (See comments on eyes and legs.)

    May 22, 2008