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

The vines that overtook his body now have a Medusa-like quality near his head and shoulders, essentially serving as armor, Maher said.

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Now she can fling armored vehicles, leap atop large buildings and bend the toughest of minds with a minimal nosebleed.

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They fell silent as an Israeli armored vehicle rumbled past, its antenna swinging above the berm blocking the street.

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This season, finally there were cracks in the armor.

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Her sentiment bounces off me like I’m wearing armor.

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Related Words

• bulletproof vest www.thesaurus.com
• shield