Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Arm?

\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}.] 1. The limb of the human body which extends from the shoulder to the hand; also, the corresponding limb of a monkey. 2. Anything resembling an arm; as, (a) The fore limb of an animal, as of a bear. (b) A limb, or locomotive or prehensile organ, of an invertebrate animal. (c) A branch of a tree. (d) A slender part of an instrument or machine, projecting from a trunk, axis, or fulcrum; as, the arm of a steelyard. (e) (Naut) The end of a yard; also, the part of an anchor which ends in the fluke. (f) An inlet of water from the sea. (g) A support for the elbow, at the side of a chair, the end of a sofa, etc. 3. Fig.: Power; might; strength; support; as, the secular arm; the arm of the law. To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? --Isa. lii. 1. {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}.] (Mil.) (a) A branch of the military service; as, the cavalry arm was made efficient. (b) A weapon of offense or defense; an instrument of warfare; -- commonly in the pl.
\Arm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Armed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Arming}.] [OE. armen, F. armer, fr. L. armare, fr. arma, pl., arms. See {arms}.] 1. To take by the arm; to take up in one's arms. [Obs.] And make him with our pikes and partisans A grave: come, arm him. --Shak. Arm your prize; I know you will not lose him. --Two N. Kins. 2. To furnish with arms or limbs. [R.] His shoulders broad and strong, Armed long and round. --Beau. & Fl. 3. To furnish or equip with weapons of offense or defense; as, to arm soldiers; to arm the country. Abram . . . armed his trained servants. --Gen. xiv. 14. 4. 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. 5. Fig.: To furnish with means of defense; to prepare for resistance; to fortify, in a moral sense. Arm yourselves . . . with the same mind. --1 Pet. iv. 1. {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. `` 'Tis time to arm.'' --Shak.