arm
arm (ärm)
noun
- an upper limb of the human body
- in anatomy, the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow
- in nontechnical use, the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the wrist
- anything resembling this in structure or function; esp.,
- the forelimb of some vertebrate animals
- any limb of an invertebrate animal
- anything commonly in contact with the human arm; esp.,
- a sleeve of a garment
- a support for the arm on a chair, sofa, etc.
- anything thought of as armlike, esp. in being attached or connected to something larger an arm of the sea, a yardarm, the arm of a balance, an arm of the government, etc.
- power to seize, control, etc. the long arm of the law
- ☆ Baseball, Football ability to pitch or throw a ball
Etymology: ME < OE earm; akin to L armus, Goth arms, OHG arm: see art
an arm and a leg
arm in arm
at arm's length
put the arm on
☆ Slang- to arrest or restrain
- to request a loan or donation from
with open arms
arm (ärm)
noun
- any instrument used in fighting; weapon: usually used in pl.
- warfare; fighting
- coat of arms
- insignia of countries, corporations, etc.
Etymology: a merging with arm (sense )
any combatant branch of the military forces
Etymology: ME < OFr armes, pl. < L arma, implements, weapons; akin to armus, shoulder, upper arm (see art): for semantic development see arm, sense
transitive verb
- to provide with weapons, tools, etc.
- to provide with something that protects or fortifies
- to prepare to attack or to meet attack reporters armed with questions
- to make ready or equip with parts needed for operation to arm a missile with a warhead
Etymology: ME armen < OFr armer < L armare, to arm < arma: see the n.
intransitive verb
- to equip oneself with weapons, as in preparing for war
- to prepare for any struggle
bear arms
- to carry or be equipped with weapons
- to serve as a combatant in the armed forces
take up arms
- to go to war or rise in rebellion
- to enter a dispute
to arms!
under arms
up in arms
- prepared to fight
- indignant
ARM
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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