v.
Pronunciation: dis- ' ärm, diz-, ' dis- ˌ ärm
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English desarmen, literally, to divest of arms, from Anglo-French desarmer, from des- dis- + armer to arm
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to deprive of means, reason, or disposition to be hostile < disarm ed criticism by admitting her errors> b : to win over
2 a : to divest of arms < disarm captured troops> b : to deprive of a means of attack or defense < disarm a ship> c : to make harmless < disarm a bomb>
intransitive verb
1 : to lay aside arms
2 : to give up or reduce armed forces
– dis · ar · ma · ment \ - ' är-m ə -m ə nt \ noun
– dis · arm · er noun