ARM

n. & v. --n. 1 (usu. in pl.) a a weapon. b = FIREARM. 2 (in pl.) the military profession. 3 a branch of the military (e.g. infantry, cavalry, artillery, etc.). 4 (in pl.) heraldic devices (coat of arms). --v.tr. & refl. 1 supply with weapons. 2 supply with tools or other requisites or advantages (armed with the truth). 3 make (a bomb etc.) able to explode. øarms control international disarmament or arms limitation, esp. by mutual agreement. arms race a contest for superiority in nuclear weapons, esp. between East and West. in arms armed. lay down one's arms cease fighting. take up arms begin fighting. under arms ready for war or battle. up in arms (usu. foll. by against, about) actively rebelling. øøarmless adj. [ME f. OF armes (pl.), armer, f. L arma arms, fittings]