armor

American  

[ahr-mer] / ˈɑr mər /

especially British, armour

noun

1. any covering worn as a defense against weapons.

2. a suit of armor.

3. a metallic sheathing or protective covering, especially metal plates, used on warships, armored vehicles, airplanes, and fortifications.

4. mechanized units of military forces, as armored divisions.

5. Also called armament.  any protective covering, as on certain animals, insects, or plants.

6. any quality, characteristic, situation, or thing that serves as protection.

   A chilling courtesy was his only armor.

7. the outer, protective wrapping of metal, usually fine, braided steel wires, on a cable.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cover or equip with armor or armor plate.

armor British  

/ ˈɑːmə /

noun

1. the US spelling of armour

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armor Idioms  

1. see chink in one's armor; knight in shining armor.

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Other Word Forms

• antiarmor adjective
• armorless adjective
• subarmor noun

Etymology

Origin of armor

1250–1300; Middle English armo ( u ) r, armure < Anglo-French armour ( e ), armure Old French armëure < Latin armātūra armature; assimilated, in Middle English and Anglo-French, to nouns ending in -our -or ²

Example Sentences

Walter Monsalve, a 55-year-old teacher who works on both sides of the border that Colombia reinforced with soldiers and armored vehicles, said he was "in shock."

From Barron's

For another, their armor protected their hulls against attack — the design rationale being that they would chiefly engage enemy vessels in battleship-to-battleship engagements — but their decks were susceptible to assault from the skies.

From Los Angeles Times

On the other hand, they say, the cash is a protective armor for Berkshire’s balance sheet.

From The Wall Street Journal

In such a world, Ukraine is unlikely to stock up on the sort of expensive tanks and other armored vehicles that Western nations continue to buy, analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nesbitt never anticipated, however, that the marketing strategy would involve his 10-acre polo field staging a medieval battle, complete with knights in suits of armor and a dragon flying overhead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bulletproof vest
• shield