armature

[ ahr-muh-cher ]

noun

1. armor.
2. Biology. the protective covering of an animal or plant, or any part serving for defense or offense.
3. Electricity.
   1. the part of an electric machine that includes the main current-carrying winding and in which the electromotive force is induced.
   2. the pivoted part of an electric device, as a buzzer or relay, that is activated by a magnetic field.
   3. 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.
4. Sculpture. a skeletal framework built as a support on which a clay, wax, or plaster figure is constructed.

armature

/ ˈɑːmətjʊə /

noun

1. a revolving structure in an electric motor or generator, wound with the coils that carry the current
2. 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
3. Also calledkeeper a soft iron or steel bar placed across the poles of a permanent magnet to close the magnetic circuit
4. such a bar placed across the poles of an electromagnet to transmit mechanical force
5. sculpture a framework to support the clay or other material used in modelling
6. the protective outer covering of an animal or plant
7. archaic.
   armour

armature

/ är′mə-chər /

1. 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.
2. A piece of soft iron connecting the poles of a magnet.
3. The part of an electromagnetic device, such as a relay or loudspeaker, that moves or vibrates.

Word History and Origins

Origin of armature¹

1535–45; (< Middle French ) < Latin armātūra an outfit, armor, equivalent to armāt ( us ) equipped ( arm ², -ate ¹ ) + -ūra -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of armature¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Post

The armatures and segments that they needed to house the critical components were just too complex to mill or cast.

From 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.

From Washington Post

Balanced armature drivers are frequently found in in-ear headphones.

From Popular-Science

But Tarzan is also the armature for a heady display which reaches way beyond the simple chronicling of a pop phenomenon.

From The Daily Beast

A very slight movement of the armature disc J, therefore, suffices to open to the full extent two long exhaust passages.

From Project Gutenberg

Four catch pins were fastened on the rim of the disk to engage a catch pin on the armature of the magnet.

From Project Gutenberg

The armature may now be soldered to this shaft, its left-hand surface being flush with the ends of the magnet.

From Project Gutenberg

If the armature and its connections are also used from the buzzer, the height of the coils must be taken in consideration.

From Project Gutenberg

The other binding post H is connected to the bracket B supporting the armature spring.

From Project Gutenberg