Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Arm \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.
Arms \Arms\, n. pl. [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) Anything which a man takes in his hand in anger, to
strike or assault another with; an aggressive weapon.
--Cowell. Blackstone.
4. (Her.) 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) 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}.