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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
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© Webster 1913.