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

One of her original creations, the faded cabaret queen Lola Heatherton, armored herself in plastered-on wigs and stage finery, façades obscuring the jittery desperation of a woman hanging on by the quicks of her fingernails.

From Salon

It was more like a suit of armor than a dress, and the parade of onlookers following behind her made a game of guessing how Klum might sit down during the ceremony.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a cold blue day; he wore the red jumper—his grand-father had knitted it thick as armor, with a broad roll-neck—and his navy coat.

From Literature

Kathleen Coleman, renowned Harvard classicist, points to the words of the Roman poet Martial, who makes reference to Mars and Venus both in armor and women in the arena.

From The Wall Street Journal

While on the property, officers seized 13 firearms, four soft body armor vests and 30 high-capacity magazines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bulletproof vest
• shield