/ ɑːmz; NAmE ɑːrmz/ noun [ pl. ]
1.
( formal ) weapons, especially as used by the army, navy, etc. :
arms and ammunition
Police officers in the UK do not usually carry arms .
—see also firearm , small arms
2.
= coat of arms :
the King's Arms (= used as the name of a pub)
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IDIOMS
- be under arms
- lay down your arms
- take up arms (against sb)
- (be) up in arms (about / over sth)
—more at bear verb , present verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French armes , from Latin arma .