arm Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
  2. noun any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm
    limb; branch.
    • the arm of the record player
    • an arm of the sea
    • a branch of the sewer
  3. noun any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
    weapon; weapon system.
    • he was licensed to carry a weapon
  4. noun the part of an armchair or sofa that supports the elbow and forearm of a seated person
  5. noun a division of some larger or more complex organization
    subdivision; branch.
    • a branch of Congress
    • botany is a branch of biology
    • the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages
  6. noun the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
    sleeve.
  7. verb prepare oneself for a military confrontation
    build up; gird; fortify.
    • The U.S. is girding for a conflict in the Middle East
    • troops are building up on the Iraqi border
  8. verb supply with arms
    • The U.S. armed the freedom fighters in Afghanistan

WordNet

Arm noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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 noun
Etymology
See Arms.
Definitions
  1. (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 transitive verb
Etymology
OE. armen, F. armer, fr. L. armare, fr. arma, pl., arms. See arms.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Armed present participle & verbal noun Arming
Definitions
  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.
Arm intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To provide one's self with arms, weapons, or means of attack or resistance; to take arms. " 'Tis time to arm." Shak.

Webster 1913