1. (used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
   "armed robbery"
    
2. Having arms (or one arm) as specified; used especially in combination
   "the many-armed goddess Shiva"
    
3. (used of plants and animals) furnished with bristles and thorns
   "The armed cactus deterred most animals from approaching"

1. Supply with arms
   "The U.S. armed the freedom fighters in Afghanistan"
    
2. Prepare oneself for a military confrontation
   "troops are arming on the Iraqi border";
   - build up, fortify, gird
    
3. Equip with protective features
   "The vehicle was armed with bulletproof glass"
    
4. Activate a system or device
   "Remember to arm the alarm before leaving"

See also: armlike, barbed, barbellate, brachiate, briary, briery, bristled, bristlelike, bristly, brushlike, burred, burry, clawed, equipped, light-armed, long-armed, militarised [Brit], militarized, one-armed, prickly, setaceous, setose, spiny, taloned, thistlelike, thorny, weaponed

Type of: fix, furnish, gear up, offer, prepare, provide, ready, render, set, set up, supply

Antonym: armless, demilitarise [Brit], unarmed

Encyclopedia: Armed, far-right organizations in Italy