place of arms

American  

noun

1. an area in a fortress or a fortified town where troops could assemble for defense.

2. an enlarged part of the covered way in a fortification.

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Etymology

Origin of place of arms

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

But the Hotel, though held like a place of arms, was untenanted by the marshal, his retinue, or the lost Scottish maids.

From The Black Douglas by Richards, Frank

Ever since the age of the Crusades that seaport had been the chief place of arms of Palestine; but the harbour was now nearly silted up, and even the neighbouring roadstead of Hayfa was desolate.

From The Life of Napoleon I (Volume 1 of 2) by Rose, John Holland

The body is that of a deformed human frame, and the place of arms supplied by the heads of rattlesnakes placed on square plinths and united by fringed ornaments.

From Ophiolatreia An Account of the Rites and Mysteries Connected with the Origin, Rise, and Development of Serpent Worship in Various Parts of the World by Anonymous

Black also was the small banner which waved above them, and bore in place of arms the emblem of the Bleeding Heart.

From Historical Romances: Under the Red Robe, Count Hannibal, A Gentleman of France by Weyman, Stanley J.

He provides a very large re-entering place of arms, also with a keep, the ditches of which are carefully traced so as to be protected from enfilade by the salients of the ravelin and bastion.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various