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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Arm \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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