armed

¹

[ ahrmd ]

adjective

1. having a specified number or kind of arms (often used in combination): a weak-armed quarterback.

   a four-armed Hindu god;

   a weak-armed quarterback.

armed

²

[ ahrmd ]

adjective

1. bearing firearms; having weapons:

   a heavily armed patrol.

2. maintained by arms:

   armed peace.

3. involving the use of weapons:

   armed conflict.

4. equipped:

   The students came armed with their pocket calculators.

5. (especially of an animal) covered protectively, as by a shell.
6. fortified; made secure:

   Armed by an inveterate optimism, he withstood despair.

7. (of an artillery shell, bomb, missile, etc.) having the fuze made operative.

armed

¹

/ ɑːmd /

adjective

1. 1. having an arm or arms
   2. ( in combination )

      one-armed

      long-armed

armed

²

/ ɑːmd /

adjective

1. equipped with or supported by arms, armour, etc
2. prepared for conflict or any difficulty
3. (of an explosive device) prepared for use; having a fuse or detonator installed
4. (of plants) having the protection of thorns, spines, etc

Other Words From

• half-armed adjective
• well-armed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of armed¹

First recorded in 1500–10; arm ¹( def ) + -ed ³( def )

Origin of armed²

First recorded in 1250–1300; arm ², + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

They are, to say the least, preparing for civil war (the polling stations are stormed by armed gangs).

From The Daily Beast

Most travelers return home from trips revitalized and armed with new goals.

From The Daily Beast

Major General Jean Kahwaji of the Lebanese armed forces recently declared an “open-ended war” with the militants.

From The Daily Beast

In their midst stands a soldier with the Lebanese armed forces in a red beret, sporting an assault rifle and an unblinking stare.

From The Daily Beast

But the police nevertheless declared Stone to be “armed and dangerous,” despite getting around with a cane.

From The Daily Beast

All our people were well mounted, and armed with rifles, pistols, and bowie-knives.

From Project Gutenberg

To this, it is greatly to be feared, the fiery Southerns will not submit without an armed struggle.

From Project Gutenberg

Nearly half the regiment ran to secure their picketed horses, armed themselves in hot haste, and galloped to the gaol.

From Project Gutenberg

The village was held by about 400 armed natives, who had killed one native and two European soldiers on the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the whole State became one vast armed camp, nearly forty thousand men on a side, arrayed against each other.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• equipped
• loaded
• outfitted
• supplied