▪ I. arm, n.1
(ɑːm)
Forms: 1– arm, 1–3 (WS.) earm, 2–3 erm, (eorm), 3 ærm, (Orm.) arrm, arum, 4–7 arme.
[Common Teutonic: cf. OS. arm, OFris. arm, erm, OHG. aram, arm, ON. armr, Goth. arms:—OTeut. *armoz, cogn. w. L. armus shoulder; cf. Gr. ἁρµός joint, Skr. īrmas, f. Aryan root ar- to fit, join.]
I. The limb.
1. a. The upper limb of the human body, from the shoulder to the hand; the part from the elbow to the hand being the fore-arm.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke ii. 28 He onfeng him on armum his. 1123 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) Se kyng..alehte hine betwux his earmes. c 1200 Ormin 7616 [He] himm toc bi⁓twenenn arrmess. 1205 Lay. 28035 Þat mi riht ærm to-brac. Ibid. 2233 He heo mid armen i-nom. c 1220 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 213 Mi leofmonnes luft erm halt up min heaued. a 1300 Havelok 2408 Smot him þoru þe riht arum. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xiv. 241 Hondes and armes of a longe lengthe. 1489 Caxton Faytes of Armes i. ix, Heue vp his armes for to smyte edgelyng. 1611 Shakes. Cymb. ii. iv. 101 She stript it from her Arme. 1785 Cowper Task iv. 222 The basket dangling on her arm. 1802 Paley Nat. Theol. viii. (1827) 455 The fore-arm..consists of two bones lying alongside each other, but touching only towards the ends. |
b. as a measure of length.
| 1572 J. Bossewell Armorie ii. 86 Popiniayes..exceedinge in lengthe an arme and an halfe. |
2. phr. a. arm-in-arm (improperly
arm-and-arm): said of two persons, when one interlinks his arm with the other's, that they may walk close together; hence
fig. in close communion. Also
attrib. (So humorously
arm-in-armly.)
to give or offer one's arm (to): to allow
or invite a person to walk arm-in-arm with one, or lean on one's arm.
to take the arm is to accept this invitation.
a child,
baby, or
infant in arms: one that cannot yet walk, and has to be carried.
with open arms: with eager welcome.
† his arms! an obsolete oath.
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus ii. 1067 They wenten arme in arme yfere Into the gardyn. a 1553 Udall Roister D. ii. i, Then, his armes and woundes! I woulde not haue slacked for ten thousand poundes. Ibid. iii. iii, Armes! what dost thou? 1591 Harington Ariosto's Orl. Fur. xlvi. xxxv, Don Leon arm in arm Rogero led. a 1600 Hooker Serm. i. III. 590 Continually to walk arm in arm with angels. 1735 Pope Prol. Sat. 142 With open arm receiv'd one Poet more. 1743 H. Walpole Lett. to H. Mann 67 I. 246 A clerk who had observed them go out together so arm-in-armly. 1781 Cowper Charity 314 Philosophy..Walks arm in arm with Nature all his way. 1819 Keats Let. 24 Sept. (1958) II. 215 A child in a[r]ms was passing by his chair toward the mother, in the nurses a[r]ms. 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. II. ii. iv. iii. 10 A thickset Individual..arm-and-arm with some servant. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair lxvii. 618 You are no more fit to live in the world than a baby in arms. 1862 Sat. Rev. 633 Brummel..replied, ‘I did my best for the young man; I gave him my arm down St. James' Street.’ a 1885 Mod. She took the proffered arm. Children in arms free. 1937 E. Garnett Family from One End St. viii. 146 All the children went half price, the younger ones, with luck, ‘in arms’. 1958 G. Barker Two Plays 65 Why, even a Kelk'd be kissing itself This arm-in-arm evening. 1978 N.Y. Times 30 Mar. b3/1 Arm-in-arm couples. |
b. at arm's end (
obs.),
at arm's length: as far out or away from one as one can reach with the arm;
hence, away from close contact or familiarity, at a distance;
spec. in
Law, without fiduciary relations, as those of trustee or solicitor to a client;
(at) arm's length:
Comm., designating a sale or transaction in which neither party controls the other.
to work at arm's length: awkwardly or disadvantageously.
within arm (or arm's) reach: so as to be reached by a movement of the arm only.
to make a long arm (
colloq.): to reach out the arm a long way after something; see also
long a.
1 1 c.
as long as one's arm:
colloq. for ‘very long’.
| 1580 Sidney Arcadia (J.) Such a one as can keep him at arms end, need never wish for a better companion. a 1652 Brome Crt. Beggar i. i, A man May come within his arme⁓reach of his money In the Exchequer. 1655 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. xiv. (1669) 108/1 The Moabites could not give Israel the fall at arms-length. 1669 Penn No Cross xiii. §18 Live loose to the World, have it at Arm's-End. a 1704 T. Brown Praise Pov. Wks. 1730 I. 96 No Penelopes..to keep importunate suitors at arms-end. 1714 Swift Pres. State Aff. Wks. 1755 II. i. 220 To stand at arm's length with her majesty. 1846 J. F. Cooper Redskins (1888) xii. 198 Leases as long as my arm, I calcerlate? 1856 Kane Arct. Exp. II. vii. 79 Wood..piled within arm-reach. 1857 H. Melville Confidence-Man vi. 39 A fellow with a face as long as my arm. 1858 Ld. St. Leonards Handy-bk. Prop. Law vi. 35 Unless there is perfect fair-dealing, and the dealing is, as it is termed, at arm's-length, it would not be allowed to stand. 1860 Trollope Framley P. (1861) II. i. 9 God be with the good old days when I could..make a long arm for a hot potato whenever the exigencies of my plate required it. 1879 T. Lewin Trusts (ed. 7) 441 The parties must be put so much at arm's length that they stand in the adverse relations of vendor and purchaser. 1884 Daily News 26 Jan. 6/2 Monkeys..making long arms..for stray beans or sweetmeats. 1938 M. Allingham Fashion in Shrouds xx. 370 Jock has a record as long as your arm. 1961 Webster, Arm's length, the condition or fact that the parties to a transaction or negotiation are independent and that one does not dominate the other (sale at arm's length) (arm's length bargaining). 1962 Taxation of Short-Term Gains (Cmnd. 1710) 9 Where an asset changes hands as a result of a bargain which is not at arm's length (i.e. generally speaking, at an artificial price) it is normally deemed to pass for its then market value. 1962 Economist 8 Dec. 1040/1 Some [companies]..are..‘arm's length buyers’ of imported crude wherever—and as cheap as—they can get it. |
c. Slang
phr. under the arm: inferior, poor, bad.
| 1937 in Partridge Dict. Slang 17/1. 1958 F. Norman Bang to Rights 31, I read no matter how bad the book and some are right under the arm, stand on me. 1963 New Statesman 18 Oct. 537/1 All that's under the arm (i.e. no good). |
3. fig. a. Might, power, authority.
secular arm: the authority of a secular or temporal, as distinguished from an ecclesiastical, tribunal.
| c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xii. 18 Arm drihtnes huæm is ædeaued [Rushw. eorm]. 1382 Wyclif ibid., To whom is the arm of the Lord schewid? 1535 Coverdale Ezra iv. 23 And forbad them with the arme and auctorite. 1611 Bible Ezek. xxx. 21, I haue broken the arme of Pharaoh. 1782 Priestley Corrupt. Chr. II. ix. 145 The relapsed [are] delivered to the secular arm. 1831 Brewster Newton (1855) II. xviii. 186 No period of his life can be named when his intellectual arm was shortened. |
b. That on which one relies for support or assistance; a prop, support, stay.
right arm: main stay, chief executive agent.
| 1382 Wyclif Jer. xvii. 5 Cursid the man that trostith in man, and putteth flesh his arm. 1535 Coverdale ibid., That taketh flesh for his arme. 1859 Tennyson Guinevere 426 Sir Lancelot, my right arm, The mightiest of my knights. |
c. in
fig. expressions that attribute
arms (in various relations) to things that have none.
| 1597 J. Payne Royal Exch. 7 He reserved neither legg nor arme of that lyvinge to hym self. ? a 1700 Sir Patrick Spens, I saw the new moon, late yestreen, Wi' the auld moon in her arm. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. xxi. 18 Science reaches forth her arms To feel from world to world. 1866 B. Taylor Mariners 290 Cradled in the arms of the tide. |
4. a. The fore limb of an animal: said, popularly, of apes, bears, and other animals that rise on their hind legs; in scientific use, of any of the mammalia.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 3 Apes..have..their breasts and armes like men, but rougher. 1781 Smellie Buffon's Nat. Hist. (1785) V. 14 The bear..has fleshy legs and arms. 1847 Carpenter Zool. §90 The arm and the thigh each present, among all the Mammalia, but one bone. Ibid. §330 In Birds..the conformation of the arm and fore-arm differs little from that of the same parts in man. |
b. Falconry. The leg of a hawk from the thigh to the foot.
| 1575 Turberv. Falconrie 8 This Eagle Royall..hath not hir armes or feete in any condition couered with plume as the Vulture hath. 1678–1706 in Phillips and in mod. Dicts. under arms n.2 |
c. The flexible limbs or other appendages of invertebrate animals; as the locomotive and prehensile organs of cuttle-fish, the tentacula of the hydroid polypes, the rays of star-fish, etc.
| 1822 Burrowes Cycl. IX. 786/2 the Cuttle-Fish..besides eight arms has two tentacula longer than the arms. 1867 Carpenter Zool. §1043 In the Hydra, the arms vary in number, being usually from six to ten. Ibid. §1044 When in search of prey, the Hydra permits its arms to float loosely through the water. 1870 Nicholson Zool. xix. (1880) 201 The body [of Star-Fishes]..consists of a central..‘disc’ surrounded by five or more lobes or ‘arms.’ |
5. The part of dress covering an arm; a sleeve.
| a 1797 H. Walpole George II (1847) III. i. 8 The right arm lined with fur. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. iii. vi, The Coatarm is stretched out. |
II. Things resembling arms.
6. A narrower portion or part of anything projecting from the main body.
a. In
arm of the sea, of ancient use, and quite
transferred.
b. Also of the land (
obs.), a mountain (
fig.).
| c 885 K. ælfred Oros. i. i. §28 On oþre healfe þæs sæs earmes is Ibernia. 1538 Leland Itin. VII. 143 The Marsch Land..runnyng ynto a Poynt standeth as an Arme, Foreland, or Nesse. 1598 Hakluyt Voy. I. 65 The Great sea, out of which the arme of S. George proceedeth. 1724 De Foe, etc. Tour Gt. Brit. (1769) III. 60 That Arm of the Sea which is now called the Humber. c 1854 Stanley Sinai & Pal. Introd. (1858) 53 The arms of the mountain closing us in. |
c. of a machine, or other object.
| 1833 Brewster Nat. Magic v. 110 On a projecting arm..I fixed a broad collar. 1881 Greener Gun 18 The powder-chamber or arm of the bombard is of much smaller diameter. |
7. One of the branches into which a main trunk divides.
† a. spec. of a vine.
Obs. b. fig. A main branch or limb of any tree (usually with something of personification).
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xvii. cxvi, ‘Palmes’ is propirly a bowe oþer a spray of a vine, and..spryngeþ oute in newe armes. 1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 473 They that feare theyr Vines will make too sharpe wine, must not cutte the armes. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Feb. 104 A goodly Oake..With armes full strong. 1611 Cotgr., Avantin, the arme, or braunch of a vine. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 514 Some ancient Oak, whose Arms extend In ample Breadth. 1863 Longfellow Falc. Federigo 5 A huge vine..with its arms outspread. |
c. of a river, a nerve, or the like.
| 1330 R. Brunne Chron. 67 His flete alle pleyn In an arme of Ouse vnder Ricalle lay. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 118 The great riuer Tanais, which runneth into Mœotis with two armes or branches. 1846 Grote Greece xx. II. 490 The Pelusian arm of the Nile. 1870 Rolleston Anim. Life 132 An azygos nerve trunk..which..has two lateral arms. |
8. One of two lateral (and generally horizontal) parts, which answer to each other, like the two arms of the body.
a. Naut. (
a) The parts of an anchor, at right angles to its shank, which bear the flukes that grip the bottom. (
b) The parts of the yard extending on either side of the mast; see
yard-arm. (
c) ‘The extremity of the bibbs which support the tressel trees’ (Smyth
Sailor's Word-bk. 1867).
| 1665 Pepys Diary 18 Sept., The yard-arms sticking in the very rocks. 1706 Phillips, Arm of an Anchor, that part of it to which the Flook is set. |
b. of machines; as of a balance. In a lever: The part or length from the fulcrum to the point of application of the power or weight respectively. (In levers of the
second and
third kind, the
power arm and
weight arm are both on the same side.)
| 1659 J. Leak Water-wks. 17 The said Levers shalbe also fitted to two arms or branches. 1727–51 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Crane, The middle and extremity of this [beam] are again sustained by arms from the middle of the arbor. 1866 Newth Nat. Phil. (1873) 34 It is convenient to describe the perpendiculars drawn from the fulcrum to the directions of the power and the weight as the power's arm and the weight's arm respectively. |
9. One of the two rails or projecting supports at the sides of a chair, sofa, etc., on which the arms of one who is using it may rest. See
arm-chair.
| 1633 [See arm-chair]. 1859 Tennyson Elaine 437 Two dragons gilded, sloping down to make Arms for his chair. 1882 J. Hawthorne Fort. Fool xiv, The chairs and sofas having curved and arabesqued backs, legs, and arms. |
III. Comb. and
attrib., as
arm-badge,
arm-eddre (
= vein),
arm-glove,
arm-linked,
arm-sweep,
arm-twister,
arm-wrist. Also
arm-band, a band worn round the arm;
arm-bone, the bone of the arm, the
humerus;
† arm-circle,
arm-coil, a bracelet, an armlet;
arm-cylinder, a cylindrical ornament worn on the arm;
† arm-gaunt a., (meaning not certainly known) ? with gaunt limbs;
† arm-great a., as large round as an arm;
arm-guard, (
a) in
Boxing, defence with the arm; (
b) a protective covering for the arm;
† arm labour, manual labour;
arm-lock, a close hold by the arm in wrestling and judo; also
v. trans. (
nonce-wd.);
arm-piece, armour to protect the arm;
arm-rest, a device constructed for the arm to rest upon;
arm-ring, an ornamental ring worn on the arm; an armlet;
† arm-slasher, one who cuts his arm to get blood with which to drink his mistress' health;
† arm-strong a., strong of arm;
arm-twisting (
orig. U.S.), (persuasion by) the use of moral pressure, force, or threats of physical violence (
cf. twist v. 9 e);
arm-wrestling = wrist-wrestling s.v. wrist 5 d; also
arm-wrestle v. intr., to engage in arm-wrestling. See
arm's-end,
-length,
arm-reach, under 2 b. Also
arm-chair, -hole, -pit,
armful,
armless,
q.v.| 1931 A. P. Herbert Derby Day iii, The policeman's helmet and *arm-badge are on the table as he is off duty. |
| 1797 B. Hawkins Let. 26 Nov. (1916) 253 The goods he wants are..3 pair *arm bands, 3 pair wrist bands. 1846 T. L. McKenney Memoirs I. 178, I opened a box and took out a pair of silver arm-bands. 1906 Yorks. N. & Q. III. 101/1 A fragment of a jet arm-band was found on the same horizon. 1922 D. H. Low tr. Ballads of Marko Kraljević 135 On his feet two fetters, On his arms two armbands. 1952 Manch. Guardian Weekly 21 Feb. 5/1 After them came the Sheffield's officers, in white uniforms with black armbands. |
| a 1639 Abp. Spotiswood Ch. & St. Scotl. (1677) 5 The *Arm-bone, three Fingers, and as many Toes of St. Andrew. 1851 Richardson Geol. viii. 308 In the anterior extremities we find an arm-bone. |
| 1382 Wyclif Ecclus. xxi. 24 As an *arm-cercle in the riȝt arm. |
| 1866 Livingstone Jrnl. iii. (1873) 68 *Arm-coils of thick brass wire. |
| 1937 Antiquity XI. 114 The axes, dagger, and *arm-cylinder of the Danish hoard. 1957 Childe Dawn Europ. Civ. (ed. 6) v. 69 From Asia came an arm-cylinder of twisted silver wire (like a gold one from Troy II) found in a grave on Levkas. |
| c 1230 Ancr. R. 258 Hwon heo beoð ileten blod on one *erm eddre. |
| 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. i. v. 48 Did mount an *Arme-gaunt Steede. 1816 Scott Old Mort. xi, Mounted upon his arm-gaunt charger. |
| 1740 C'tess of Hertford Corr. (1806) II. 127 Black velvet *arm-gloves. |
| c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1290 A wreth of gold *arm-gret. |
| c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 412 An *arme greet withi bough. |
| 1889 Michell Boxing 148–9 Figure ix, Left *arm guard. Ibid. 156 Right arm guard. 1899 Daily News 20 June 3/5 Two massive gold arm-guards, set with..diamonds. |
| 1677 A. Yarranton Engl. Improv. 185 Will draw more Wire in one day, than six men can..by *arm labour. |
| 1839 Bailey Festus vi. (1848) 53 A shadow not thine own *armlinked with mine. |
| 1905 A. M. Binstead Mop Fair vi. 102 Whose simple faith in all mankind has been mercilessly *arm-locked and thrown clear off the mat. 1905 F. R. Toombs How to Wrestle (1906) 61 (caption) The Near Leg Hold and Arm Lock. 1956 K. Tomiki Judo 127 Kansetsu-waza..ude-hishiji (armlock) and ude⁓garami (entangled armlock). |
| 1844 Marg. Fuller Wom. in 19th C. (1862) 86 A golden helmet and *arm-pieces. |
| 1889 Cent. Dict., *Arm-rest. 1898 Sloane Stand. Elect. Dict. App., Arm rest, a device for lessening the fatigue of holding a telephone receiver to the ear. 1908 Daily Chron. 12 Mar. 5/6 The deceased's head was..over the mouth of the barrel, which was leaning against the arm-rest. 1962 Which? (Suppl.) July 91/2 This measurement excludes the permanent centre armrest in the two sports cars. |
| 1903 W. B. Yeats In Seven Woods 49 I'll give you gifts, but I'll have something too An *arm⁓ring or the like. 1933 E. E. Evans-Pritchard Ess. Social Anthrop. (1962) vii. 143 Azande..made a pact by drinking water from a gourd which contained an iron arm-ring. |
| 1611 Cotgr., Taille-bras, A hackster, *arme-slasher. |
| c 1000 ælfric Gloss. in Wright 43 Torosus, *earm-strang. |
| 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 56 Alcides, the arme-strong darling of the doubled night. |
| 1850 Mrs. Browning Poems II. 276 Like a fly..By queen Juno brushed aside, a Full white *arm-sweep, from the edge. |
| 1938 New Statesman 8 Jan. 58/2 A great *arm-twister, and the sort of man who ought never to have been born. 1967 K. Giles Death in Diamonds ix. 164 A brute and a bully, an arm-twister and a threatener. |
| 1957 Newsweek 30 Dec. 31/3 *Arm twisting is used to induce ‘wavering elements, petty bourgeois, and the non-productive’ to sign ‘voluntary petitions’ for rural service. 1963 W. H. Missildine Your Inner Child of Past xi. 106 We are so accustomed to overly coercive attitudes that arm-twisting, demanding commercials on television and anxiety-arousing articles in the press seem right to us. 1984 Listener 23 Aug. 9/1 Diplomatic pressure..would be accompanied by the selective use of South African economic and military arm-twisting. |
| 1971 J. Wambaugh New Centurions xii. 209 When he got to the latticework he peered through and saw two young men, long sideburned twins with chain belts, *arm wrestling on a swaying table with a burning candle at each side of the table to scorch the back of the loser's hand. 1973 [see wrist-wrestling s.v. wrist 5 d]. 1978 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 14 Aug. 5/1 The muscled gladiators who prevailed..will represent Canada on Sept. 16 at Worlds of Fun Amusement Park in Kansas City, at the World Professional Armwrestling Association championships. 1986 P. Booth Palm Beach ii. 39, I remember the time when your ol' man and your granpappy set to arm wrestling on the bar. |
| 1656 Heylin Two Journ. 42 Hands and *arme-wrists free from scabs. |
▸
colloq. the strong arm of the law n. (and variants) the (far-reaching, inescapable, or punitive) power and influence of the law,
esp. as represented by the police; the police force. Now more usually
the long arm of the law.
| 1817 Scott Rob Roy II. xx. 340 The arm of the law was also gradually abridging the numbers of those whom I endeavoured to serve, and the hearts of the survivors became gradually more contracted towards all whom they conceived to be concerned with the existing government. 1842 A. Rodger Stray Leaves 11 For the strong and the terrible arm of the Law, Ne'er reached a delinquent like him that's awa'. 1870 Dickens Edwin Drood xviii, ‘As I say, sir,’ pompously went on the Mayor, ‘the arm of the law is a strong arm, and a long arm.’ 1911 R. R. Marett Anthropol. vii. 181 To one who lives under civilized conditions the phrase ‘the strong arm of the law’ inevitably suggests the policeman. 1931 A. Gibbs New Crusade 78 The long arm of the law, white sleeved,..was raised against the further progress of her vehicle. 1996 Eastern Eye 14 June 5/1 He agrees that Shahin's killers should be dealt with [by] the severe arm of the law and should be punished like everyone else. 2001 Llanelli Star (Electronic ed.) 21 June Llanelli Jobcentre has joined up with the long arm of the law by holding a Police Careers evening at their premises. |
▸
colloq.(one) would give one's right arm (for or to do (something)), etc.: (one) would be willing to make a great sacrifice (in order to acquire or achieve something); used hyperbolically, to convey a strong or eager hankering,
esp. one unlikely to be fulfilled.
| [1616 B. Jonson Epicœne iv. v, I would be loth to loose my right arme, for writing madrigalls.] 1849 Sharpe's London Jrnl. 9 19/1 He felt as if he could gladly give his right arm to be cut off if it would make him, at once, old enough to go and earn money instead of Lizzy. 1876 W. S. Gilbert Dan'l Druce ii. 15 There's mor'n one within a mile o' this who'd give his right arm to do it now. 1951L. Armstrong Jazz on High Note in T. Brothers Louis Armstrong (1999) 136 I'd give my right arm right to this day, to hear the master-papa Joe Oliver toot this tune. 1967 Listener 10 Aug. 169/1, I would give my right arm to live in the airy, sky-blue studios of Casson's Elephant Hilton. 1978 Washington Post (Nexis) 28 July c1 Oak Hill..had the most expensive grave plots at $2,500 for one. ‘We're filled and a lot of people would give their right arm to get in here,’ said..the superintendent. 2001 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Nexis) 20 July 30 Some people would give their right arm to drive a {pstlg}250,000 Rolls Royce Corniche with Changing Rooms star Anna Ryder Richardson at their side. |
▸ The faculty or ability of using the arm in a particular (
esp. skilful or dexterous) manner; the arm used in this way; (
Baseball,
Cricket, etc.) an ability to bowl, pitch, or throw skilfully. Hence: a player having such an ability. Freq. with modifying adjective, as
good arm, etc.
to go (also come) with the arm: to bowl a ball so that it continues its course without deviation in the direction of the swing of the bowler's arm; also with the ball as subject.
| 1882 C. F. Pardon Australians in Eng. 5 Robinson..now and then ‘comes with his arm’ in a puzzling way. 1907 N.Y. Evening Jrnl. 16 Apr. 10/2 He has a splendid arm, and he can surely play the ball. He is the cleaner-up hitter of the team. 1909 Cent. Dict. (Suppl.) Arm, in violin-playing, the arm or its action in reference to the style of bowing: as, he plays with a good arm. 1920 R. H. Lyttelton & E. R. Wilson in P. F. Warner Cricket (new ed.) 266 He bowled a swinger, an off break, and a fast ball, which went with his arm. 1959 Listener 19 Mar. 516/3 It also makes it essential for a fieldsman to have ‘a good arm’. 1983 Daily Tel. 3 Sept. 12 The chief requisites of a bowler are [that] he can achieve remarkable results ‘going with the arm’. 1986 USA Today 30 May (heading) 4 c/1 Young arms have Rangers riding high in AL West. 2001 Atlanta Constit. (Electronic ed.) 26 Apr. Just a kid, but what an arm. |
▸
N. Amer. slang.
to put the arm on (a person):
(a) to exert physical force or violence upon (a person); to apprehend or restrain;
(b) to attempt to pressure or coerce (a person) to do something; to solicit or demand money from (
cf. to twist (someone's) arm at
twist v. 9e).
| 1928C. Panzram in T. E. Gaddis & J. O. Long Killer: Jrnl. of Murderer (1970) viii. 60 There I put the arm on him and we dragged him through the fence on the left side of the road. 1939 New Yorker 11 Mar. 43 One dingo got a dollar and one of the President's best cigars by ‘putting the arm’ on Mrs. Roosevelt at the entrance to her town house. 1949 R. Macdonald Moving Target (1998) xvii. 126 ‘Why didn't you put the arm on him?’..‘We don't know where Sampson is, and if we throw our weight around, we'll never find out.’ 1965 F. Bonham Durango Street xxiii. 149 We'll put the arm on him for breaking and entering your house. 1978 L. K. Truscott Dress Gray xxx. 403 Three cadets and a lady reporter, putting the arm on a couple of spooks from God-only-knows-where. 1993 Grain Summer 47 The government..started putting the arm on people to contribute. 2000 R. Butler Greatest Threat ii. 27 The Arab foreign ministers immediately put the arm on me to give the Syrians what they wanted—because, after all, it was only ‘fair’ and ‘just’. |
▸
an arm and a leg n. colloq. an enormous amount of money, an exorbitant price;
freq. in
to cost an arm and a leg.
| 1956 B. Holiday Lady sings Blues xxiv. 224 Finally she found someone who sold her some stuff for an arm and a leg. 1979 Washington Post 6 Nov. b5/1, I acquired good taste over the weekend. And it didn't cost me an arm and a leg. 1992 World of Interiors July 14/3 How to use colour and smarten up the kitchen—hopefully all without spending an arm and a leg. 2000 J. Goodwin Danny Boy vi. 124 We agreed we'd have to take a taxi back. Probably cost an arm and a leg, but we weren't exactly awash with options. |
▸
arm candy n.after
ear candy n. at
ear n.1 Additions,
eye-candy n. at
eye n.1 Additions
colloq. (
orig. U.S.) a physically attractive companion,
esp. one escorting a more celebrated or influential person at a social event (often with the implication that the association is temporary or expedient).
| 1992 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 21 Aug. 63 She'd already had mini-roles in eight movies when she turned up as George Sanders' *arm candy in the party scenes of this film. 1999 Guardian 11 June ii. 4/4 It's true, a number of people did think that he was arm candy. But in fact he's the love of my life. 2001 N.Y. Times 11 Feb. ix. 11/3 My earliest impression of him was he would make good arm candy... He looked good in uniform. |
▪ II. arm, n.2 Commonly in
pl. arms (
ɑːmz). Forms: 3–7
armes (5
-is,
-ys), 6–
arms, 8–
arm.
[a. F. armes, Pr. armas:—L. arma (no sing.) ‘arms, fittings, tackle, gear’; from root ar- to fit, join. The sing. arm is late and rarely used.] I. pl. Defensive and offensive outfit for war, things used in fighting.
1. Defensive covering or appendages for the body; armour, mail. Now only
poet.| 1340 Ayenb. 165 Þe cloþinge ne makeþ naȝt þane monek, ne þe armes þane knyȝt. 1382 Wyclif Eph. vi. 11 Clothe ȝou with the armer [v.r. armes] of God. c 1400 Sowdone Bab. 188 Armed in Stele In armes goode and profitable. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, iii. ii. 114 Clap their female ioints In stiffe vnwieldie Armes. 1718 Pope Iliad ii. 200 Once more refulgent shine in brazen arms. 1872 Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 908 These arm'd him in blue arms. |
2. a. Instruments of offence used in war; weapons.
fire-arms: those for which gunpowder is used, such as guns and pistols, as opposed to
swords,
spears, or
bows.
small-arms: those not requiring carriages, as opposed to
artillery.
stand of arms: a complete set for one soldier.
| a 1300 K. Horn 516 Þin armes he haþ and scheld To fiȝte wiþ upon þe feld. 1382 Wyclif John xviii. 3 He cam with lanternis, and brondis, and armys. 1484 Caxton Ordre Chyv. viii. 61 b, He ought not to trust in his armes, ne in his strengthe. 1650 T. B. Worcester's Apophth. 97 They were come to search his house for Armes. 1710 Lond. Gaz. mmmmdccviii/2 The remaining 12,500 Arms not already contracted for. Ibid. mmmmdccii/2 Powder, small Ball, and small Arms. 1777 Marion in Harper's Mag. Sept. (1883) 546/1 To parade with their side arms. 1794 J. Trusler Eng. Synon. I. 37 By arms, we understand those instruments of offence generally made use of in war; such as firearms, swords, etc. By weapons, we more particularly mean instruments of other kinds (exclusive of fire-arms), made use of as offensive on special occasions. 1870 Instr. Musketry 7 Each lesson in cleaning arms..to occupy half an hour. |
b. sing. A particular species of weapon; (
cf. a wine,
a sugar,
an ash).
| 1861 Sir W. Fairbairn Addr. Brit. Assoc., A rifled small arm and gun which have never been surpassed. 1877 World No. 178. 11 An extraordinarily well-balanced arm, and highly effective. |
3. man of arms, later
man-at-arms:
a. one practised in war, a warrior, soldier;
b. a fully-armed knight.
man-in-arms: an armed man.
| 1393 Gower Conf. III. 2 He is a noble man of armes. 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. i. xi, The proprietes that men of armes ought to haue. c 1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. iii. i, I have a hundred thousand men-in-arms. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, v. iv. 42 And make him, naked, foyle a man at Armes. 1598 Barret Theor. Warres v. ii. 141 The Man at Armes is armed complete. Ibid., Men at Armes are commonly men of title and qualitie. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 2 For the loue that he bare unto peace..iudged to be no man at armes. 1670 Cotton Espernon iii. xi. 580 Worth the pains, or notice of men of Arms. 1855 Kingsley Heroes iv. 57 The men-at-arms drew their swords and rushed on him. |
4. In many phrases.
a. to arms! (formerly [
OFr.]
as armes! at arms!): take to your arms, be ready for fight!
b. in arms: armed, furnished with weapons, sword in hand, prepared to fight; as
to rise in arms (of a number);
up in arms, in active readiness to fight, actively engaged in struggle or rebellion; also
fig. c. to take up arms: to arm oneself, rise in hostility defensive or offensive, to draw the sword; also
fig. to bear arms: to serve as a soldier, do military service, fight.
to turn one's arms against: to make war upon, attack.
to lay down arms: to surrender, cease hostilities, give up the struggle.
| a. 1330 R. Brunne Chron. 162 Richard, ‘has armes!’ did crie. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 2933 ‘Asarmes!’ þanne cride Rolond, ‘asarmes, euerechon!’ c 1450 Merlin xxii. 406 And ronne to armes moo than xxvii squyers. c 1450 Lonelich Grail xiii. 231 Anon, ‘As Armez,’ they gonnen to crie. 1470–85 Malory Arthur i. xi. (1634) 22 ‘Lords, at arms! for here be your enemies at your hand.’ 1711 Pope Rape Lock v. 37 To arms! to arms! the fierce Virago cries. 1842 Macaulay Horatius xx, To arms! To arms! Sir Consul. |
| b. 1503 Hawes Examp. Virtue vii. 97 Whan in armes..He all his ennemyes dyd abiecte. 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 636 Heere comes Hector in Armes. 1593 ― 2 Hen. VI, iv. i. 93 Hating thee, and rising vp in armes. 1611 Bible 1 Macc. xii. 27 Ionathan commaunded his men..to be in armes. 1704 Swift T. Tub Apol., All the men of wit..were immediately up in Arms. 1810 Scott Lady of L. iii. xiv, In arms the huts and hamlets rise. 1868 Digby's Voy. Medit. Pref. 32 As soon as the facts came to the knowledge of the Admiralty..Buckingham's Secretary was up in arms. |
| c. 1297 R. Glouc. 63 Alle þat armes bere Aȝen þe king. c 1590 Marlowe Massac. Paris iii. i, The Guise hath taken arms against the King. 1602 Shakes. Ham. iii. i. 59 To take Armes against a Sea of troubles. 1769 Robertson Charles V, V. iii. 329 Obliged to take arms in self-defence. Ibid. V. iv. 410 He turned his arms against Naples. 1795 Sewell Hist. Quakers I. Pref. 7 For bearing arms and resisting the wicked by fighting. 1831 Brewster Newton (1855) II. xiv. 2 Newton took up arms in his own cause. 1848 St. John Fr. Rev. 245 Lay down your arms. 1872 Yeats Growth Comm. 180 Albuquerque turned his arms towards Ormuz. |
5. Also in the
mod. phrases:
under arms (of troops); bearing arms; standing or marching arms in hand, in battle array; so,
to lie upon their arms.
stand to your arms! i.e. in order of battle with arms presented. For the various military words of command,
Order arms,
Port arms,
Present arms,
Shoulder arms,
Slope arms,
Trail arms, etc., see the respective verbs.
| 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 537 Thus, under heavy Arms, the Youth of Rome Their long laborious Marches overcome. 1710 Lond. Gaz. mmmmdccxv/2 Obliged to halt and lye all Night on their Arms. 1777 Robertson Hist. Amer. (1783) II. 265 In a moment the troops were under arms. 1847 G. R. Gleig Waterloo 275 The Anglo-Belgian army lay on its arms in the field which its valour had won. Ibid. 108 No cry of ‘Stand to your arms!’ or other notices expressive of danger near at hand. a 1850 Rossetti Dante & Circ. (1874) i. 8 The whole city got under arms. |
II. Elliptical senses. (Only
pl. exc. in 9.)
6. The exercise or employment of arms; fighting, war, active hostilites.
† to bid arms (
obs.): to offer battle.
to carry arms: to wage war.
to appeal to arms: see
appeal v. 6 b.
| c 1374 Chaucer Anel. & Arc. 1 Fiers god of armes Mars the rede. c 1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. ii. ii, An hundred Kings, by scores, will bid him arms. 1662 Dryden Astræa Red. 4 Worser far Than arms, a sullen interval of war. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 2 ¶3 It is a barbarous Way to extend Dominion by Arms. 1720 Ozell Vertot's Rom. Rep. I. iv. 236 Her Arms were carried abroad. 1780 Harris Philol. Enq. (1841) 478 Success in arms. 1790 Beatson Nav. & Mil. Mem. I. 4 A cessation of arms having been agreed on. 1847 G. R. Gleig Waterloo 297 There shall be a suspension of Arms. |
7. The practice or profession of arms, service as a soldier, the military profession.
| c 1450 Lonelich Grail lii. 1077 Whanne to harmes that he cam, He wax a worthy chevalrows man. 1475 Caxton Jason 78 b, He accorded..and putte hym anone to armes. 1489 ― Faytes of Armes i. i, The right honorable offyce of armes & of chyualrye. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, ii. i. 43 Since first I follow'd Armes. 1596 Spenser F.Q. i. iv. 1 Young knight, what euer that dost armes professe. 1814 Scott Wav. vi, To take up the profession of arms. |
8. a. Deeds or feats of arms. Now only
poet.;
deeds,
feats, etc. being expressed in prose.
| c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame 144, I wol now synge yif I kan The Armes and also the man That first cam of Troy Contree. 1485 Caxton Paris & V. (1868) 35 [They] made grete chyualryes & dyd grete armes. 1697 Dryden æneid i. i, Arms and the man I sing, who, forced by fate, etc. [1711 Addison Spect. No. 309 ¶13 Contentions at the Race, and in Feats of Arms.] |
b. phr. a passage of (or at) arms: an exchange of blows by armed opponents, an encounter; also
fig. a controversial bout.
an assault of (or at) arms: an attack made upon each other by two fencers, etc., as an exercise or trial of skill; and, in a wider sense, a display of hand-to-hand military exercises. See
passage,
assault.
| 1824 Trevelyan in Macaulay's Life I. iii. 136 His connection with the Review was that passage of arms. 1857 Hughes Tom Brown ii. v. (1876) 269 An account of his passage-at-arms with the only one of his school-fellows whom he ever had to encounter in this manner. |
9. sing. and pl. a. Each kind of troops of which an army is composed: the infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineers; originally, the two first.
of all arms: of every description of troops. (So in
Fr.) Also used of other branches of the armed forces,
esp. the air force (often called
the fourth arm). See
fleet n.1 1 d.
| 1798 Craig in Wellesley, Desp. (1877) 605 Abounding in cavalry, and acting in a country the most favourable to that arm. 1829 Southey Inscr. xxx. Wks. III. 142 Nor force of either arm of war, nor art of skilled artillerist. 1842 Alison Hist. Eur. X. lxvi. §69. 182 The supposition that the English had no heavy artillery..The English general had already secured that vital arm. 1847 G. R. Gleig Waterloo 101 They numbered about 12,000 of all arms. 1879 in Cassell's Techn. Educ. III. 267 The three so-called ‘arms’ of the service; the infantry, the cavalry, and the artillery. 1908 H. G. Wells War in Air iv. 106 The Emperor..placed him in control of the new aeronautic arm of the German forces. 1914 Engineering 4 Sept. 312/2 Aircraft in Warfare: the Dawn of the Fourth Arm. By F. W. Lanchester. 1916 [see aeronautical a.]. 1917 [see air n.1 B. III. 3]. 1919 [see aerial arm]. 1940 Ann. Reg. 1939 62 This was the first occasion on which the Civil Defence Forces had been recognized as a Fourth Arm. |
b. transf. and
fig. A branch of an organization, movement, company, etc., not necessarily or usually military. (Freq. with defining word.)
| 1952 C. I. Glicksberg in Amer. Lit. Crit. 50 The failure of the so-called Marxist critics to take the aesthetic properties of literature into account, thus making literature serve utilitarian and ulterior ends as an arm of propaganda. 1968 Time 17 May 66 The Institute for Defense Analyses, a civilian research arm of the Government. 1976 Survey Summer–Autumn 303 The Mau Mau movement had hardly any external diplomatic arm. 1985 Oxford Times 20 Dec. 9/5 It is primarily a training unit, not a fund-raising arm of the Spastics Society. |
III. Transf. and
fig. senses. (Usually
pl.)
10. in
Law. (See
quot.)
| 1641 Termes de la Ley 51 Arms, in the understanding of the Law, is extended to any thing that a man, in his anger or fury, takes into his hand to cast at, or strike another. [So in Blount, Tomlins, etc.] |
11. Instruments of defence or offence possessed by animals; the
armature or
armour of plants.
| 1711 Addison Spect. No. 121 ¶3 That great Variety of Arms with which Nature has differently fortified the Bodies of..Animals, such as Claws, Hoofs, and Horns. |
12. a. fig. (from 2) of things immaterial.
| c 1230 Ancr. R. 60 Eien beoð..te ereste armes of lecheries pricches. 1340 Ayenb. 170 Þe armes of penonce, huerby he may ouercome his y-uo. 1616 Brent Counc. Trent (1629) 756 Which would bee as much as to put Armes into the hands of the heretikes. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. i. iii. (1686) 7 Unable to wield the intellectual arms of reason. 1872 Freeman Norm. Conq. IV. xvii. 90 And had himself fought, perhaps with temporal, certainly with spiritual arms. |
b. sing.| 1762 Gibbon Misc. Wks. (1814) V. 259 He employed every arm both of argument and pleasantry. |
† c. (from 1)
collect. as sing. ‘Armour.’
Obs.| 1646 H. Lawrence Comm. & Warre w. Angels 141 An armes fitted on purpose. |
13. (
sing.) Protection, guard. [Perh. from
arm v.
1]
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus ii. 1601 For I woll have no wite To bring in prease, that myht done him harme, Or him diseasen, for my better arme. |
IV. Heraldic Arms.
14. a. Heraldic insignia or devices, borne originally on the shields of fully armed knights or barons, to distinguish them in battle (hence properly called
armorial bearings), which subsequently became hereditary, and are the property of their families. Also the similar ensigns of countries, corporations, trading companies, etc.
| 1330 R. Brunne Chron. 8 Þe lond lese þe armes, changed is þe scheld. c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame 1331 Al these armes that ther weren That they thus on her cote beren. 1489 Caxton Faytes of Armes iv. xv. 274 The lordes in a bataylle myght be knowen by his armes. a 1553 Udall Roister D. iii. iv, By the armes of Caleys, it is none of myne. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 369/2 The heralds of armes dooing him such honour. 1589 Pappe w. Hatchet B iij, His armes shalbe set on his hearse. 1601 Cornwallyes Ess. xxv, They can find Titles as fast as Heralds devise Armes. 1611 J. Guillim Heraldry i. iii. 2 Armes are tokens or resemblances signifying some act or quality of the bearer. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ii. iv. §40 I. 313 The ancient Armes were assigned to Oxford about this time. 1787 Porny Heraldry 243 Three lions passant gardant..the Royal Arms of England. 1794 J. Trusler Eng. Synon. II. 31 Heraldry is the science of arms. 1864 Boutell Hist. Heraldry xiv. 136 The lawful holder of Arms has in them a true estate in fee. |
b. collective as
sing.| c 1590 Marlowe Edw. II, ii. ii. 1035 What is thine arms? 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 68 This the reason why the Romans gave such an arms. |
15. Hence the phrases,
in arms with: quartered with.
† to give arms (
obs.): to show or exhibit armorial bearings. Also
to bear arms;
to grant arms or
assign arms.
coat of arms: (see
armour n. 10.)
College of Arms: the Heralds' College, by which armorial bearings are granted.
King at Arms: a Chief Herald.
| 1466 Test. Ebor. (1855) II. 278 With all my doghtirs in armes with thair husbandis apon my right syde, and with all my sones and thair wifes in armes apon my left side. c 1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. iii. v, Now you are a King, you must give arms. 1599 Greene George a Gr. (1861) 259 We are gentlemen. Geo. Why, sir, So may I, sir, although I give no arms. 1642 Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. 489 Advanced to the Title of a Lord or Baron; permitted to beare Arms. 1647 R. Stapylton Juvenal 250 note, A coate of Armes cut in a pretious Sardonix stone. a 1649 Drummond of Hawthornden Hist. Jas. V, Wks. 81 Lyon king of arms is directed to him, to acquaint him with their proceedings. 1671 F. Phillips Reg. Necess. 468 Mr. William Dugdale, Norroy King at Armes. 1808 Scott Marm. iv. vii, Sir David Lindesay of the Mount, Lord Lion king-at-arms. |
V. Comb. and
attrib. in sense I, as
arms-bearing,
arm-chest,
arms-control,
arms-dump (
dump n.4 1 c),
arm-rack,
arms-smuggler,
arms-store,
arms town; in sense IV, as
arms-painter;
arms race, competition between unfriendly nations or other groups in the accumulation and development of weapons.
| 1639 Fuller Holy War v. xix. (1840) 274 Employ all their arms-bearing people in their martial service. |
| 1678 Butler Hud. iii. i. 142 Upon their sharing In any prosperous arms-bearing. |
| 1823 Byron Island ii. xx, As when the arm-chest held its brighter trust. |
| 1961 Economist 14 Jan. 109/2 Their preferred term, ‘arms control’, embraces not only disarmament by controlled agreement but also such measures as the banning of nuclear tests. |
| 1939 ‘N. Blake’ Smiler with Knife xi. 168 She knew there was an arms-dump beneath Major Keston's house. |
| 1827 Gentl. Mag. XCVII. ii. 51 One Lilly an armes-painter and pedigree maker. |
| 1936 Hansard Commons 5th Ser. CCCIX. 1842 This House cannot agree to a policy which in fact seeks security in national armaments alone and intensifies the ruinous arms race between the nations, inevitably leading to war. 1937 Daily Express 20 Apr. 2/7 Arms Race Worry... All were worried at the armament race. 1938 Auden & Isherwood On Frontier ii. ii. 78 The arms race is good for another five years at least. 1964 Ann. Reg. 1963 138 In a speech of 10 June..Mr. Kennedy called for a halt to the arms race. |
| 1844 Regul. & Ord. Army 337 To prevent the arm-racks being damaged. |
| 1937 Koestler Spanish Test. 24 A spy or an arms smuggler or a foreign agent. |
| 1899 Westm. Gaz. 3 Mar. 5/1 A number of artillerymen were removing a quantity of ammunition from one arms-store to another. 1944 Ourselves in Wartime 95 The attack on Coventry was the forerunner of similar attempts to smash the arms towns. |
▪ III. † arm, a. Obs. Forms: 1–3
arm(e,
earm, 2
erm(e, 3
ærm,
areme.
[Common Teutonic: cogn. w. OS. arm, OFris. erm, arm, OHG. aram (mod.G. arm), Goth. arms, ON. armr.] 1. Poor, needy.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Mark xii. 42 Þa com án earm wuduwe. c 1200 Moral Ode 227 Edi men and arme. 1205 Lay. 23941 Auere ælche ærmen [1250 neod-fol] mon, þe æð scal iwurðen. |
2. Miserable, wretched.
| 1104 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) Eall þis wæs..þas arme leode mid to treᵹienne. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 27 Drieð his erme saule in eche pine. 1205 Lay. 14893 Alre kinge si he ærmest. a 1250 Owl & Night. 1160 Both sori and areme. |
▪ IV. arm, v.1 (
ɑːm)
[a. F. arme-r:—L. armā-re, f. arma: see arm n.2] 1. lit. To furnish with arms defensive or offensive. In early use,
chiefly, To cover (a man or horse) with armour or mail;
now, To provide (a man, garrison, stronghold, ship, etc.) with weapons.
| 1205 Lay. 15313 [He] lette ærmi his cnihtes. 1250 Ibid. 8655 Ac armede his cnihtes. c 1330 Arth. & Merl. 5937 On hors y-armed and well atired. c 1400 Destr. Troy vii. 3197 Þai armyt hom at all peces, abill to werre. c 1420 Avow. Arth. xxiv, Quen thou art armut in thi gere, Take thi schild and thi spere. 1611 Bible Gen. xiv. 14 He armed [Coverdale, harnessed] his trained seruants. 1716 Lond. Gaz. mmmmmccccxc/2 Stores for Rigging and Arming another Man of War. 1771 Junius Lett. lix. 308 The only case in which the king can have a right to arm his subjects in general. 1847 G. R. Gleig Waterloo 280 To arm the whole population of the country, and fight to the last extremity. |
b. in
Falconry, etc.
| 1575 Turberville Falconrie 161 When he hath armed or cased the hearons tronke with a cane or reed. 1801 Strutt Sports & Past. iii. vii. 250 The arming their [fighting cocks'] heels with sharp points of steel is a cruelty. |
† c. to arm out (a ship): to fit out with arms. (Also
intr. for refl.: see 4.)
Obs.| 1670 Marvell Corr. 152 Wks. 1875 II. 334 That he must..arme out fifty great ships the next Spring. 1687 Lond. Gaz. mmccc/5 Three Gallies..and several low Boats that arm out in the Summer. |
2. Hence, in many transferred and
fig. uses; as:
to arm (a person)
a. with requisite tools or appliances for any work;
b. with qualities, attributes, offensive or defensive.
| 1340 Ayenb. 180 Þet hauberk of penonce huermide God armeþ his newe knyȝt. a 1586 Sidney Sonn. in Arber Eng. Garner II. 170 Armed with beauty. 1611 Shakes. Cymb. i. vi. 19 Arme me, Audacitie, from head to foote! 1647 Ward Simp. Cobler 52 To arme your minde with patience of proofe. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 113 ¶4 She will arm herself with her real Charms, and strike you with Admiration. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. §12. 88 Each of us was..armed with his own axe. |
c. (an animal) with natural organs of offence or defence.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 30 Being armed with teeth on both sides, like a saw. 1664 Power Exp. Philos. i. 2 Nature having armed him [the Flea] thus Cap-a-pe. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 121 ¶2 A Creature so armed for Battle and Assault as the Lion. 1815 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. (1843) I. 336 Three or four similar but smaller aculei arm the head. |
d. (a thing) with appendages requisite or effective, or with any preparation fitting it for work.
| 1534 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) K k b, They haue aredyed the mylle, and armed it with stones of encreace. 1653 Walton Angler 110 First you must arm your hook. 1689 Moyle Sea Chyrurg. ii. v. 40 Dip your Dorcells..squeeze them, then arm them with your Restringent. 1761 Sterne Tr. Shandy III. xvi. 71 The points of my forceps have not been sufficiently arm'd. 1787 T. Best Angling 13 For setting on the hook, or more scientifically speaking, arming it, use strong but small silk. |
e. To prepare (for resistance, action, etc.).
| 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. i. i. 117 Arme your selfe To fit your fancies to your Fathers Will. 1601 ― All's Well i. ii. 11 He hath arm'd our answer, and Florence is deni'de before he comes. [See armed ppl. a. 2.] |
3. refl. (in
prec. senses.)
| c 1300 Beket 2230 This lithere Kniȝtes, armeden hem eft sone. c 1386 Chaucer Sec. Nun's T. 385 Armith you in armur of brightnes. 1489 Caxton Faytes of Armes iii. xxii, Neuermore shulde arme hym self aienst the King of France. a 1602 Perkins Cases Consc. (1611) 291 To arme our selues with patience. |
† b. Of a horse. (see
quot.)
Obs.| c 1580 Blundevil in Lit. Times (1863) 14 Mar., He [the horse]..will arm hymselfe and run away. 1611 in Cotgr. 1751 Chambers Cycl. s.v., A horse is said to arm himself, when he presses down his head, and bends his neck, so as to rest the branches of the bridle upon his brisket. |
4. intr. for refl. To arm oneself, take up arms.
| c 1400 Sowdone Bab. 491 Arise vp..And armes anone, every wight. 1599 Shakes. Hen. V, ii. iv. 49 Princes, looke you strongly arme to meet him. 1605 ― Macb. v. v. 46 Arme, arme, and out. 1779 Burke Corr. (1844) II. 303 It certainly cannot be right to arm in support of a faction, though it is most laudable to arm in favour of our country. 1852 Tennyson Penny-wise in Morn. Chron. 24 Jan., Is this a time to cry for peace, When we should shriek for rifles? Arm, arm, arm! |
† b. To set traps.
Obs.| 1574 Hellowes Gueuara's Epist. 19 The pastime..of Arthabanus king of Hircans was to arme for rats. 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Armar, to arme, prepare, set a snare. |
c. to arm against: to take defensive or precautionary measures against.
| 1727 Swift What passed in Lond. Wks. 1755 III. i. 187 A pestilential malignancy in the air..which might be armed against by proper and timely medicines. |
5. trans. To plate (
with anything) for strength; to furnish with any protective covering.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. lix. (1495) 175 The grystill..armyth the endes of the bones. 1627 Smith Seaman's Gram. xiv. 67 To Arme a shot..for fear of bursting the Peece, which is to binde a little Okum in a little Canuasse at the end of each Pike. 1692 Ibid. ii. xxxi. 150 The Cases..must be Armed about with strong Twine. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. i. 220 First Ceres..arm'd with Iron Shares the crooked Plough. 1854 Woodward Man. Mollusca (1856) 29 The gizzard is armed with numerous small plates. |
6. To furnish (a magnet) with an armature.
| 1664 [see armed ppl. a.1]. 1727–51 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The best way to arm a loadstone. 1832 Nat. Philos., Magnet. v. §214 (U.K.S.) For this purpose it should be armed, as it is called; that is, an armature of iron should be applied to both its poles. 1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Sc. xii. i, The increased energy which magnets acquire by being armed. |
7. Her. See
armed: also
fig.| 1590 Tarleton Newes out of Purg. 76 He armes the asse with a marvellous paire of long and large Ears. The emblason, etc. |
† 8. Cookery, To dress, garnish, season
with.
Obs.| c 1440 Anc. Cookery in Househ. Ord. (1790) 439 Craunes and Herns shall be armed with larde. |
▪ V. arm, v.2 (
ɑːm)
[f. arm n.1] † 1. To take in one's arms.
Obs. rare.
| 1611 Shakes. Cymb. iv. ii. 400 Come, Arme him. |
2. To give one's arm to, conduct by walking arm-in-arm with. See
arm n.1 2.
| c 1612 Two Noble Kinsm. v. iii. 135 Arm your prize: I know you will not lose her. 1675 Wycherley Plain Dealer ii. (1735) 51 To arm her to her lawyer's Chambers. 1871 Daily News 11 Feb., Assiduously arming along the crowded street this shambling half-blind old woman. |
3. To put one's arm round.
| 1863 W. Lancaster Præter. 59 The princess arm'd his neck. |
† 4. intr. To project like an arm.
Obs.| 1538 Leland Itin. VII. 143 The Marsch Land beginneth to nesse and arme yn to the Se. |