armature

(ärmə c̸hər)

noun

  1. any protective covering
  2. any part or structure of an organism useful for defense or offense, as claws, teeth, burs, or thorns
  3. a soft iron bar placed across the poles of a magnet to keep it from losing magnetic power
    1. the laminated iron core with wire wound around it in which electromotive force is produced by magnetic induction in a generator or motor: usually a revolving part, but in an alternating-current machine often stationary
    2. the moving or vibrating part in an electric relay or bell
  4. Sculpture a framework for supporting the clay or other plastic material in modeling

Origin: L armatura, arms, equipment < armatus, pp. of armare; all senses from that of “armored, protected”: see arm,

See armature in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Electricity
    a. The rotating part of a dynamo, consisting essentially of copper wire wound around an iron core.
    b. The moving part of an electromagnetic device such as a relay, buzzer, or loudspeaker.
    c. A piece of soft iron connecting the poles of a magnet.
  2. Biology A protective covering, structure, or organ of an animal or a plant, such as teeth, claws, thorns, or the shell of a turtle.
  3. A framework serving as a supporting core for the material that is used to make a sculpture.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, armor

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin armātūra, equipment

Origin: , from armātus

Origin: , past participle of armāre, to arm; see arm2

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