Category:Arm

Arm, n. Etym: [AS. arm, earm; akin to OHG. aram, G., D., Dan., & Sw. arm, Icel. armr, Goth. arms, L. armus arm, shoulder, and prob. to Gr. rame. 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. Etym: [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.] Etym: [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.

Defn: To provide one's self with arms, weapons, or means of attack or resistance; to take arms. " 'Tis time to arm." Shak.

Arms, n. pl. Etym: [OE. armes, F. arme, pl. armes, fr. L. arma, pl., arms, orig. fittings, akin to armus shoulder, and E. arm. See Arm, n.]

1. Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. He lays down his arms, but not his wiles. Milton. Three horses and three goodly suits of arms. Tennyson.

2. The deeds or exploits of war; military service or science. "Arms and the man I sing." Dryden.

3. (Law)

Defn: Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon. Cowell. Blackstone.

4. (Her.)

Defn: The ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.

5. (Falconry)

Defn: The legs of a hawk from the thigh to the foot. Halliwell. Bred to arms, educated to the profession of a soldier.

-- In arms, armed for war; in a state of hostility.

-- Small arms, portable firearms known as muskets, rifles, carbines, pistols, etc.

-- A stand of arms, a complete set for one soldier, as a musket, bayonet, cartridge box and belt; frequently, the musket and bayonet alone.

-- To arms! a summons to war or battle.

-- Under arms, armed and equipped and in readiness for battle, or for a military parade. Arm's end, Arm's length, Arm's reach. See under Arm.

- ---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Arm - used to denote power (Psalm 10:15; Ezekiel 30:21; Isaiah 48:25). It is also used of the omnipotence of God (Exodus 15:16; Psalm 89:13; Psalms 98:1; Psalms 77:15; Isaiah 53:1; John 12:38; Acts 13:17)