Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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}.
Bred \Bred\,
imp. & p. p. of {Breed}.
{Bred out}, degenerated. ``The strain of man's bred out into
baboon and monkey.'' --Shak.
{Bred to arms}. See under {Arms}.
{Well bred}.
(a) Of a good family; having a good pedigree. ``A gentleman
well bred and of good name.'' --Shak. [Obs., except as
applied to domestic animals.]
(b) Well brought up, as shown in having good manners;
cultivated; refined; polite.