armature

[ ahr-muh-cher ]

/ ˈɑr mə tʃər /

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noun

armor.

Biology. the protective covering of an animal or plant, or any part serving for defense or offense.

Electricity.

the part of an electric machine that includes the main current-carrying winding and in which the electromotive force is induced.
the pivoted part of an electric device, as a buzzer or relay, that is activated by a magnetic field.
the iron or steel applied across the poles of a permanent magnet to close it, or across the poles of an electromagnet to transmit a mechanical force.

Sculpture. a skeletal framework built as a support on which a clay, wax, or plaster figure is constructed.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of armature

1535–45; (<Middle French ) <Latin armātūra an outfit, armor, equivalent to armāt(us) equipped (see arm², -ate¹) + -ūra-ure

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH armature

amateur, armature

Words nearby armature

Armand, arm and a leg, Armani, armarian, armarium, armature, armature reaction, Armavir, armband, arm candy, armchair

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use armature in a sentence

Two large burdock leaves dangle over a shallow pool of water inside a metal circle, and a pair of steel armatures hold, respectively, clumps of dry grass and a soil core from the Patuxent River.
In the galleries: A heightened homage to trees and what they can teach us|Mark Jenkins|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
The armatures and segments that they needed to house the critical components were just too complex to mill or cast.
Disney Imagineering’s Project Kiwi is a free-walking robot that will make you believe in Groot|Matthew Panzarino|April 23, 2021|TechCrunch
The highest praise that can be bestowed on his book is that it will remind readers of a cloak-and-dagger tale by John Le Carré with an armature of fascinating historical annotation.
Forgotten spies who fought the Nazis in the Middle East|Jonathan Kirsch|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Balanced armature drivers are frequently found in in-ear headphones.
Best wireless headphones: Five things to consider|Carsen Joenk|November 25, 2020|Popular-Science

But Tarzan is also the armature for a heady display which reaches way beyond the simple chronicling of a pop phenomenon.
The Original Sexy Beast|Anthony Haden-Guest|July 2, 2009|DAILY BEAST
A very slight movement of the armature disc J, therefore, suffices to open to the full extent two long exhaust passages.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
Four catch pins were fastened on the rim of the disk to engage a catch pin on the armature of the magnet.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
The armature may now be soldered to this shaft, its left-hand surface being flush with the ends of the magnet.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
If the armature and its connections are also used from the buzzer, the height of the coils must be taken in consideration.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
The other binding post H is connected to the bracket B supporting the armature spring.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for armature

armature

/ (ˈɑːmətjʊə) /

noun

a revolving structure in an electric motor or generator, wound with the coils that carry the current

any part of an electric machine or device that moves under the influence of a magnetic field or within which an electromotive force is induced

Also called: keeper a soft iron or steel bar placed across the poles of a permanent magnet to close the magnetic circuit

such a bar placed across the poles of an electromagnet to transmit mechanical force

sculpture a framework to support the clay or other material used in modelling

the protective outer covering of an animal or plant

archaic armour

Word Origin for armature

C15: from Latin armātūra armour, equipment, from armāre to furnish with equipment; see arm ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for armature

armature

[ är′mə-chər ]

The part of an electric motor or generator that consists of wire wound around an iron core and carries an electric current. In motors and generators using direct current, the armature rotates within a magnetic field; in motors and generators using alternating current a magnetic field is rotated about the armature.

A piece of soft iron connecting the poles of a magnet.

The part of an electromagnetic device, such as a relay or loudspeaker, that moves or vibrates.