armor

especially British, ar·mour

[ahr-mer]

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.

verb (used with object)

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

armor

/ ˈɑːmə /

noun

1. the US spelling of armour

Other Word Forms

• armorless adjective
• antiarmor adjective
• subarmor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of armor¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

He added that the Israeli military had deployed booby-trapped armored assault vehicles, which inflicted damage not only to structures above ground but also to water wells, underground piping and sewage pumps, not to mention roadways.

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The armor for this Batman took inspiration from Aztec eagle warriors and jaguar warriors, and integrated elements referencing the god Tzinacan.

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Tuareg rebels, who sometimes fight alongside Islamist militants, destroyed half of the 40 armored vehicles in the convoy and killed dozens of fighters, according to European officials.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He also keeps a gas mask, helmet and body armor on hand, he said, just in case.

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Drones provided persistent surveillance, and armored vehicles were on the scene.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bulletproof vest www.thesaurus.com
• shield