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arm

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The definition of an arm is a limb that extends from the shoulder of the body.

(noun)

An example of an arm is the part of your body from which your wrist extends.

Arm is defined as a part, or extension of, a political body or organization.

(noun)

Another example of an arm is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

Arms are weapons.

(noun)

An example of arms that are weapons are guns, knives, and swords.

See arm in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. an upper limb of the human body
2. in anatomy, the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow
3. in nontechnical use, the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the wrist
anything resembling this in structure or function; esp.,
1. the forelimb of some vertebrate animals
2. any limb of an invertebrate animal
anything commonly in contact with the human arm; esp.,
1. a sleeve of a garment
2. 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

Origin: ME < OE earm; akin to L armus, Goth arms, OHG arm: see art

Related Forms:

armless adjective
armlike adjective

noun

any instrument used in fighting; weapon: usually used in pl.
warfare; fighting
1. coat of arms
2. insignia of countries, corporations, etc.
Origin: a merging with arm (sense )
any combatant branch of the military forces

Origin: 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

Origin: 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

adjustable-rate mortgage

See arm in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An upper limb of the human body, connecting the hand and wrist to the shoulder.
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.
Something, such as a sleeve on a garment or a support on a chair, that is designed to cover or support the human arm.
A relatively narrow extension jutting out from a large mass: an arm of the sea. See Synonyms at branch.
An administrative or functional branch, as of an organization.
Power or authority: the long arm of the law.
Sports The skill of throwing or pitching a ball well.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English earm; see ar- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

armed (ärmd) adjective

noun

A weapon, especially a firearm: troops bearing arms; ICBMs, bombs, and other nuclear arms.
A branch of a military force: infantry, armor, and other combat arms.
arms
a. Warfare: a call to arms against the invaders.
b. Military service: several million volunteers under arms; the profession of arms.
arms
a. Heraldry Bearings.
b. Insignia, as of a state, an official, a family, or an organization.

verb armed, arm·ing, arms

verb, intransitive

To supply or equip oneself with weaponry.
To prepare oneself for warfare or conflict.

verb, transitive

To equip with weapons: armed themselves with loaded pistols; arm a missile with a warhead; arm a nation for war.
To equip with what is needed for effective action: tax advisers who were armed with the latest forms.
To provide with something that strengthens or protects: a space reentry vehicle that was armed with a ceramic shield.
To prepare (a weapon) for use or operation, as by releasing a safety device.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English armes, weapons

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , pl. of arme, weapon

Origin: , from Latin arma, weapons; see ar- in Indo-European roots

Origin: . V., Middle English armen

Origin: , from Old French armer

Origin: , from Latin armāre

Origin: , from arma

Related Forms: