Dictionary

To take by the arm; to take up in one's arms.

To supply with armour or (later especially) weapons.

Example: The king armed his knights with swords and shields.

To prepare a tool or a weapon for action; to activate.

Example: Remember to arm the alarm system before leaving for work.

To cover or furnish with a plate, or with whatever will add strength, force, security, or efficiency.

Example: to arm the hit of a sword; to arm a hook in angling

To furnish with means of defence; to prepare for resistance; to fortify, in a moral sense.

(sometimes in combination) Equipped, especially with a weapon.

Example: nuclear-armed

(of a weapon) Prepared for use; loaded.

Furnished with whatever serves to add strength, force, or efficiency.

Having prickles or thorns.

(chiefly in combination) Having an arm or arms, often of a specified number or type.

(of a creature) Possessing arms of a specified number or type.

Example: the four-armed creature.

(heraldry, of animals) Having horns, claws, teeth, a beak, etc. in a particular tincture, as contrasted with that of the animal as a whole.