■ plural noun
1》 weapons; armaments.
2》 distinctive emblems originally borne on shields in battle and now forming heraldic insignia.
Phrases
a call to ~ a call to make ready for fighting.
in ~ prepared to fight.
under ~ equipped and ready for war or battle.
up in ~ protesting vigorously.
Origin
ME: from OFr. armes , from L. arma .