arms

/ (ɑːmz) /


pl n
  1. weapons collectively: See also small arms

  2. military exploits: prowess in arms

  1. the official heraldic symbols of a family, state, etc, including a shield with distinctive devices, and often supports, a crest, or other insignia

  2. bear arms

    • to carry weapons

    • to serve in the armed forces

    • to have a coat of arms

  3. in arms or under arms armed and prepared for war

  4. lay down one's arms to stop fighting; surrender

  5. present arms military

    • a position of salute in which the rifle is brought up to a position vertically in line with the body, muzzle uppermost and trigger guard to the fore

    • the command for this drill

  6. take arms or take up arms to prepare to fight

  7. to arms! arm yourselves!

  8. up in arms indignant; prepared to protest strongly

Origin of arms

1
C13: from Old French armes, from Latin arma; see arm ²

Words Nearby arms

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use arms in a sentence