1. Weapons considered collectively
   "The museum had an impressive display of medieval arms";
   - weaponry, implements of war, weapons system, munition
    
2. (heraldry) the official symbols of a family, state, etc.
   "The knight's shield displayed his family's coat of arms";
   - coat of arms, blazon, blazonry

1. 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
   "She waved her arm to get attention"
    
2. The part of an armchair or sofa that supports the elbow and forearm of a seated person
   "He rested his drink on the arm of the chair"
    
3. The part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
   "The arm of his jacket was torn at the elbow";
   - sleeve
    
4. Any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm
   "the arm of the record player"; "an arm of the sea";
   - branch, limb
    
5. Any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
   "The soldiers cleaned and maintained their arms";
   - weapon, weapon system
    
6. A division of some larger or more complex organization
   "The research department is an important arm of the company";
   - branch, subdivision

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"

Derived forms: armses

Type of: armrest, cloth covering, division, fix, furnish, gear up, heraldry, instrument, instrumentality, instrumentation, limb, means, offer, prepare, projection, provide, ready, render, set, set up, supply

Antonym: demilitarise [Brit]

Part of: armchair, body, garment, homo, human, human being, man, organic structure

Encyclopedia: Arms, Oliver