Arm

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Arm, n. [AS. arm, earm; akin to OHG. aram, G., D., Dan., & Sw. arm, Icel. armr, Goth. arms, L. armus arm, shoulder, and prob. to Gr. joining, joint, shoulder, fr. the root to join, to fit together; cf. Slav. rame. . See Art, Article.].

•  The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey.  [1913 Webster]
•  Anything resembling an arm  [1913 Webster]
•  Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law.  [1913 Webster]

  "To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"  [1913 Webster]

Arm's end, the end of the arm; a good distance off. Dryden. -- Arm's length, the length of the arm. -- Arm's reach, reach of the arm; the distance the arm can reach. -- To go (or walk) arm in arm, to go with the arm or hand of one linked in the arm of another. “When arm in armwe went along.” Tennyson. -- To keep at arm's length, to keep at a distance (literally or figuratively); not to allow to come into close contact or familiar intercourse. -- To work at arm's length, to work disadvantageously.

Arm, n. [See Arms.].

 A branch of the military service; as, the cavalry arm was made efficient.  [1913 Webster]

Arm, v. t. [OE. armen, F. armer, fr. L. armare, fr. arma, pl., arms. See arms.].

•  To take by the arm; to take up in one's arms.  [1913 Webster]

  "And make him with our pikes and partisans
  A grave: come, arm him."  [1913 Webster]

  "Arm your prize;
  I know you will not lose him."  [1913 Webster]
•  To furnish with arms or limbs.  [1913 Webster]

  "His shoulders broad and strong,
  Armed long and round."  [1913 Webster]
•  To furnish or equip with weapons of offense or defense; as, to arm soldiers; to arm the country.  [1913 Webster]

  "Abram . . . armed his trained servants."  [1913 Webster]
•  To cover or furnish with a plate, or with whatever will add strength, force, security, or efficiency; as, to arm the hit of a sword; to arm a hook in angling.  [1913 Webster]
•  Fig.: To furnish with means of defense; to prepare for resistance; to fortify, in a moral sense.  [1913 Webster]

  "Arm yourselves . . . with the same mind."  [1913 Webster]

To arm a magnet, to fit it with an armature.

Arm, v. i. 

 To provide one's self with arms, weapons, or means of attack or resistance; to take arms.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Arm, n.
1 each of the upper limbs of the human body from the shoulder to the hand.
2 a the forelimb of an animal. b the flexible limb of an invertebrate animal (e.g. an octopus).
3 a the sleeve of a garment. b the side part of a chair etc., used to support a sitter's arm. c a thing resembling an arm in branching from a main stem (an arm of the sea). d a large branch of a tree.
4 a control; a means of reaching (arm of the law).

Idiom

an arm and a leg a large sum of money. arm in arm (of two or more persons) with arms linked. arm-wrestling a trial of strength in which each party tries to force the other's arm down on to a table on which their elbows rest. as long as your (or my) arm colloq. very long. at arm's length
1 as far as an arm can reach.
2 far enough to avoid undue familiarity. in arms (of a baby) too young to walk. in a person's arms embraced. on one's arm supported by one's arm. under one's arm between the arm and the body. within arm's reach reachable without moving one's position. with open arms cordially.

Derivative

armful n. (pl. -fuls). armless adj.

Arm, n. & v.
--n.
1 (usu. in pl.) a a weapon. b = FIREARM.
2 (in pl.) the military profession.
3 a branch of the military (e.g. infantry, cavalry, artillery, etc.).
4 (in pl.) heraldic devices (coat of arms).
--v.tr. & refl.
1 supply with weapons.
2 supply with tools or other requisites or advantages (armed with the truth).
3 make (a bomb etc.) able to explode.

Idiom

arms control international disarmament or arms limitation, esp. by mutual agreement. arms race a contest for superiority in nuclear weapons, esp. between East and West. in arms armed. lay down one's arms cease fighting. take up arms begin fighting. under arms ready for war or battle. up in arms (usu. foll. by against, about) actively rebelling.

Derivative

armless adj.

Etymology

ME f. OF armes (pl.), armer, f. L arma arms, fittings

THESAURUS

Arm

accouter, advocate, affiliate, alpenstock, appendage, appoint, armlet, armor, armor-plate, athletic supporter, authorize, back, backbone, backing, bandeau, bank, barricade, battle, bay, bayou, bearer, beef, belt, biceps, bight, bless, block, blockade, boca, bough, bra, brace, bracer, bracket, branch, branch office, brassiere, bulwark, buttress, cane, carrier, castellate, cervix, champion, chapter, cloak, clothe, clothe with power, compass about, copyright, corset, cove, cover, creek, crenellate, crook, crutch, cushion, defend, deputize, dig in, division, dress, elbow, ell, embattle, empower, enable, endow, endue, energy, ensure, entrench, equip, estuary, euripus, extension, fence, fend, fit, fit out, fit up, fjord, force, forearm, fortify, foundation garment, frith, fulcrum, furnish, garrison, gear, girdle, guarantee, guard, gulf, gut, guy, guywire, hand, harbor, haven, heel, imp, inlet, insure, invest, jock, jockstrap, joint, keep, keep from harm, kyle, leg, limb, link, lobe, lobule, local, loch, lodge, mainstay, maintainer, make safe, man, man the garrison, mast, member, mine, mouth, munition, muscle, narrow, narrow seas, narrows, natural harbor, neck, nestle, offshoot, organ, outfit, palisade, patent, pinion, police, post, prepare, prop, protect, put in shape, ramification, reach, ready, register, reinforce, reinforcement, reinforcer, rest, resting place, ride shotgun for, rig, rig out, rig up, rigging, road, roads, roadstead, runner, safeguard, scion, screen, secure, service, shelter, shield, shoulder, shroud, sinew, slough, sound, spine, spray, sprig, sprit, spur, staff, standing rigging, stave, stay, steam, stick, stiffener, strait, straits, strength, strengthener, strong arm, support, supporter, sustainer, switch, tail, tendril, turn out, twig, underwrite, upholder, upper arm, vigor, walking stick, wall, wing, wrist

ROGET THESAURUS

Arm

Instrument

N instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.

Provision

VB provide, make provision, make due provision for, lay in, lay in a stock, lay in a store, supply, suppeditate, furnish, find, find one in, arm, cater, victual, provision, purvey, forage, beat up for, stock, stock with, make good, replenish, fill, fill up, recruit, feed, have in store, have in reserve, keep, keep by one, keep on foot, keep on hand, have to fall back upon, store, provide against a rainy day.

Part

N part, portion, dose, item, particular, aught, any, division, ward, subdivision, section, chapter, clause, count, paragraph, verse, article, passage, sector, segment, fraction, fragment, cantle, frustum, detachment, parcel, piece, lump, bit cut, cutting, chip, chunk, collop, slice, scale, lamina, small part, morsel, particle, installment, dividend, share, debris, odds and ends, oddments, detritus, excerpta, member, limb, lobe, lobule, arm, wing, scion, branch, bough, joint, link, offshoot, ramification, twig, bush, spray, sprig, runner, leaf, leaflet, stump, component part, sarmentum, compartment, department, county, fractional, fragmentary, sectional, aliquot, divided, in compartments, multifid, disconnected, partial, partly, in part, partially, piecemeal, part by part, by by installments, by snatches, by inches, by driblets, bit by bit, inch by inch, foot by foot, drop by drop, in detail, in lots.

Preparation

VB prepare, get ready, make ready, make preparations, settle preliminaries, get up, sound the note of preparation, set in order, put in order, forecast, prepare the ground, plow the ground, dress the ground, till the soil, cultivate the soil, predispose, sow the seed, lay a train, dig a mine, lay the groundwork, fix the groundwork, lay the basis, fix the basis, lay the foundations, fix the foundations, dig the foundations, erect the scaffolding, lay the first stone, roughhew, cut out work, block out, hammer out, lick into shape, elaborate, mature, ripen, mellow, season, bring to maturity, nurture, hatch, cook, brew, temper, anneal, smelt, barbecue, infumate, maturate, equip, arm, man, fit-out, fit up, furnish, rig, dress, garnish, betrim, accouter, array, fettle, fledge, dress up, furbish up, brush up, vamp up, refurbish, sharpen one's tools, trim one's foils, set, prime, attune, whet the knife, whet the sword, wind up, screw up, adjust, put in trim, put in train, put in gear, put in working order, put in tune, put in a groove for, put in harness, pack, train, inure, breed, prepare for, rehearse, make provision for, take steps, take measures, take precautions, provide, provide against, beat up for recruits, open the door to, set one's house in order, make all snug, clear the decks, clear for action, close one's ranks, shuffle the cards, prepare oneself, serve an apprenticeship, lay oneself out for, get into harness, gird up one's loins, buckle on one's armor, reculer pour mieux sauter, prime and load, shoulder arms, get the steam up, put the horses to, guard against, make sure against, forearm, make sure, prepare for the evil day, have a rod in pickle, provide against a rainy day, feather one's nest, lay in provisions, make investments, keep on foot, be prepared, be ready, hold oneself in readiness, keep one's powder dry, lie in wait for, anticipate, principiis obstare, veniente occurrere morbo.

Warfare

VB arm, raise troops, mobilize troops, raise up in arms, take up the cudgels, take up arms, fly to arms, appeal to arms, fly to the sword, draw the sword, unsheathe the sword, dig up the hatchet, dig up the tomahawk, go to war, wage war, let slip the dogs of war, cry havoc, kindle the torch of war, light the torch of war, raise one's banner, raise the fire cross, hoist the black flag, throw away, fling away the scabbard, enroll, enlist, take the field, take the law into one's own hands, do battle, give battle, join battle, engage in battle, go to battle, flesh one's sword, set to, fall to, engage, measure swords with, draw the trigger, cross swords, come to blows, come to close quarters, fight, combat, contend, battle with, break a lance with, raise the jolly roger, run up the jolly roger, serve, see service, be on service, be on active service, campaign, wield the sword, shoulder a musket, smell powder, be under fire, spill blood, imbrue the hands in blood, on the warpath, carry on war, carry on hostilities, keep the field, fight the good fight, fight it out, fight like devils, fight one's way, fight hand to hand, sell one's life dearly, pay the ferryman's fee.

Arms

N arm, arms, weapon, deadly weapon, armament, armaments, armature, panoply, stand of arms, armor, armory, apparatus belli, ammunition, powder, powder and shot, cartridge, ball cartridge, cartouche, fireball, villainous saltpeter, dumdum bullet, explosive, gunpowder, guncotton, mercury fulminate, picrates, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, PETN, high explosive, trinitrotoluene, TNT, dynamite, melinite, cordite, lyddite, plastic explosive, plastique, pyroxyline, sword, saber, broadsword, cutlass, falchion, scimitar, cimeter, brand, whinyard, bilbo, glaive, glave, rapier, skean, Toledo, Ferrara, tuck, claymore, adaga, baselard, Lochaber ax, skean dhu, creese, kris, dagger, dirk, banger, poniard, stiletto, stylet, dudgeon, bayonet, sword-bayonet, sword-stick, side arms, foil, blade, steel, ax, bill, pole-ax, battle-ax, gisarme, halberd, partisan, tomahawk, bowie knife, ataghan, attaghan, yataghan, yatacban, assagai, assegai, good sword, trusty sword, naked sword, cold steel, club, mace, truncheon, staff, bludgeon, cudgel, life preserver, shillelah, sprig, hand staff, quarter staff, bat, cane, stick, knuckle duster, billy, blackjack, sandbag, waddy, gun, piece, firearms, artillery, ordnance, siege train, battering train, park, battery, cannon, gun of position, heavy gun, field piece, mortar, howitzer, carronade, culverin, basilisk, falconet, jingal, swivel, pederero, bouche a feu, petard, torpedo, mitrailleur, mitrailleuse, infernal machine, smooth bore, rifled cannon, Armstrong gun, Lancaster gun, Paixhan gun, Whitworth gun, Parrott gun, Krupp gun, Gatling gun, Maxim gun, machine gun, pompom, ten pounder, small arms, musket, musketry, firelock, fowling piece, rifle, fusil, caliver, carbine, blunderbuss, musketoon, Brown Bess, matchlock, harquebuss, arquebus, haguebut, pistol, postolet, petronel, small bore, breach-loader, muzzle-loader, revolver, repeater, Minis rifle, Enfield rifle, Flobert rifle, Westley Richards rifle, Snider rifle, Martini-Henry rifle, Lee-Metford rifle, Lee-Enfield rifle, Mauser rifle, magazine rifle, needle gun, chassepot, wind gun, air gun, automatic gun, automatic pistol, escopet, escopette, gunflint, gun- lock, hackbut, shooter, shooting iron, six-shooter, shotgun, Uzzi, assault rifle, Kalashnikov, bow, crossbow, balister, catapult, sling, battering ram, gunnery, ballistics, missile, bolt, projectile, shot, ball, grape, grape shot, canister shot, bar shot, cannon shot, langrel shot, langrage shot, round shot, chain shot, balista, ballista, slung shot, trebucbet, trebucket, bullet, slug, stone, brickbat, grenade, shell, bomb, carcass, rocket, congreve, congreve rocket, shrapnel, mitraille, levin bolt, levin brand, thunderbolt, pike, lance, spear, spontoon, javelin, dart, jereed, jerid, arrow, reed, shaft, bolt, boomerang, harpoon, gaff, eelspear, oxgoad, weet-weet, wommerah, cattle prod, chemical mace, en flute, nervos belli pecuniam infinitam.

Power

VB be powerful, gain power, belong to, pertain to, lie in one's power, be in one's power, can, be able, give power, confer power, exercise power, empower, enable, invest, indue, endue, endow, arm, strengthen, compel.